cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An analysis of cost and duration for deconstruction and demolition of residential buildings in Massachusetts

Abstract Deconstruction is an effective means for reducing construction demolition (C&D) debris at a time of diminishing landfill capacities and increased environmental awareness. This paper compares the cost of residential building deconstruction with the cost of demolition in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The comparative cost analysis is developed by systematically analyzing two separate residential deconstruction projects previously reported in other studies and augmenting with up-to-date cost data for Massachusetts. The study shows that under current conditions in Massachusetts, deconstruction costs could be 17–25% higher than demolition costs. The analysis further identifies and ranks the parameters affecting these costs. These parameters, in the order of their impact on costs are: labor cost (either productivity or hourly rate), disposal cost (tipping fee and transportation), and resale value of deconstructed materials. A sensitivity analysis is used to identify the break-even points for these parameters such that deconstruction becomes economically competitive with demolition. This study demonstrates an approach for planners of waste management programs to evaluate and develop strategies for promoting C&D waste reduction.
Arranging effective training

Abstract Implementation of permanency-planning procedures will require training of social workers. Clear guidelines are available that can be drawn upon to design effective programs and to evaluate effectiveness using process as well as outcome data. Characteristics of effective programs are identified, and some needed areas of training are highlighted, including enhancing skills in identifying clear relevant objectives and progress indicators and increasing skills in stress-management, clear thinking, and group process. Designing and implementing procedures to enhance generalization and maintenance of new skills are essential components of training programs.
Nanofountain-probe-based high-resolution patterning and single-cell injection of functionalized nanodiamonds.

Nanodiamonds are rapidly emerging as promising carriers for next- generation therapeutics and drug delivery. However, developing future nanoscale devices and arrays that harness these nanoparticles will require unrealized spatial control. Furthermore, single-cell in vitro transfection methods lack an instrument that simultaneously offers the advantages of having nanoscale dimensions and control and continuous delivery via microfluidic components. To address this, two modes of controlled delivery of functionalized diamond nanoparticles are demonstrated using a broadly applicable nanofountain probe, a tool for direct-write nanopatterning with sub-100-nm resolution and direct in vitro single-cell injection. This study demonstrates the versatility of the nanofountain probe as a tool for high- fidelity delivery of functionalized nanodiamonds and other agents in nanomanufacturing and single-cell biological studies. These initial demonstrations of controlled delivery open the door to future studies examining the nanofountain probe's potential in delivering specific doses of DNA, viruses, and other therapeutically relevant biomolecules.
Methemoglobinemia from Intravenous Nitroglycerin: A Word of Caution

The dose of intravenously administered nitroglycerin (IV NTG) used to control ischemic chest pain usually is limited by hypotension from decreased preload. Herein we describe 2 patients who tolerated IV NTG without hemodynamic compromise but in whom severe impairment of blood oxygen content developed from methemoglobinemia noted during coronary bypass surgery. Methemoglobinemia must be suspected if chocolate-brown blood is encountered despite a normal arterial oxygen tension and calculated oxygen saturation. Before a methemoglobin level is available, the extent of hypoxemia can be determined by an oximetric oxygen saturation and therapy begun with intravenous administration of methylene blue. These case reports focus attention on the potential deleterious effects of undetected hypoxemia from methemoglobinemia in patients being stabilized with high-dose IV NTG for urgent cardiac surgery.
Peripheral neurostimulation in fibromyalgia: a new frontier?!

In a brief report in this issue of Pain Medicine , Drs Thimineur and De Ridder present interesting results from a group of 12 patients with fibromyalgia (FM) that underwent implantation of neurostimulation devices in the occipital region, primarily to treat their chronic headaches, but experienced improvement in their diffuse pain, fatigue, and overall well-being [1]. The results are indeed quite impressive as the improvement was statistically significant pretty much in every parameter, and persisted for 6 months in each operated patient. In my opinion, the main conclusion of this report is that we still have very little understanding on what happens in patients with FM. Does headache facilitate development of body pain to such degree that headache relief results in improvement of diffuse pain and other FM symptoms? Does neurostimulation suppress some nociceptive pathways (or stimulate inhibitory pathways) that are involved in FM pain generation? Are there any novel (and possibly unique) mechanisms of action that allow very low frequency stimulation, that …
The K318A Mutant of Bacteriophage T7 DNA Primase-Helicase Protein Is Deficient in Helicase But Not Primase Activity and Inhibits Primase-Helicase Protein Wild-Type Activities by Heterooligomer Formation

Lysine 318 in the conserved sequence SXXXGXGKS of bacteriophage T7 gene 4A' protein was mutated to an alanine to understand the effect of this substitution on the helicase and primase activities. The dTTPase activity of 4A'/K318A mutant protein was much lower than that of 4A', and both Km and kcat values were affected. The Km of the mutant protein was 3-5-fold higher, and the kcat was about 100-fold lower, than that of 4A'. The mutation did not affect the ability of 4A'/K318A to assemble into hexamers or bind DNA in the presence of MgdTTP. Interestingly, the mutant protein does not bind DNA in the presence of MgdTMP-PCP. The reduced dTTPase activity, however, decreased the helicase activity of the mutant protein to an undetectable level, whereas its primase activity was only 1.5-2.5-fold lower. When 4A'/K318A mutant protein was mixed with 4A', heterooligomers were formed and the helicase and the DNA-dependent dTTPase activities of 4A' were inhibited, but the DNA-independent activity actually increased. The extent of decrease in activities upon heterooligomer formation depended both on the length of time 4A' and 4A'/K318A proteins were incubated and on the concentration of the mutant protein. In addition, the decrease in the dTTPase activity was observed only when the two proteins were incubated in the absence of MgdTTP and DNA, conditions under which both proteins form unstable hexamers. Even though 4A'/K318A does not bind a 30-mer DNA in the presence of MgdTMP-PCP, heterooligomers were capable of binding DNA with the same stoichiometry as 4A'. Protein-DNA cross-linking experiments with (dT)30 and poly(5-BrdU) showed that DNA interacts with five and perhaps all six subunits of 4A'. Therefore, unless heterooligomer restores the ability of the mutant protein to bind DNA in the presence of MgdTMP-PCP, these results suggest that the DNA can bind 4A' by interacting with a few subunits. However, a fully active hexamer is required for both the helicase and the single-stranded M13 DNA-dependent dTTPase activities.
Insurance status and survival disparities among nonelderly rectal cancer patients in the National Cancer Data Base

BACKGROUND: Among patients with colorectal cancer, insurance status is associated with disparities in survival as well as differences in stage and treatment. The role of stage and treatment differences in these survival disparities is not clear because insurance status is also strongly correlated with race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other factors. METHODS: The authors used data from the National Cancer Data Base, a national hospital-based cancer registry, to examine insurance status and other factors related to survival among 19,154 rectal cancer patients aged 18 to 64 years. The authors examined the impact of 10 factors on 5-year survival: age, sex, race/ethnicity, histologic grade, histologic subtype, neighborhood education and income levels, facility type, stage, and treatment. RESULTS: Adjusted only for age, the hazard ratio (HR) for death at 5 years was 1.00 (referent) among privately insured patients, 2.05 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.89-2.23) among Medicaid-insured patients, and 2.01 (95% CI, 1.84-2.19) among uninsured patients. After adjustment for all factors other than stage and treatment, the HRs were 1.88 (95% CI, 1.722.04) for Medicaid-insured patients and 1.84 (95% CI, 1.69-2.01) for uninsured patients. After further adjustment for stage and treatment, the HRs were 1.34 (95% CI, 1.22-1.46) for Medicaid-insured patients and 1.29 (95% CI, 1.18-1.42) for uninsured patients. CONCLUSIONS: After adjustment for age, further adjustment for 9 other factors reduced the excess mortality among rectal cancer patients without private insurance by approximately 70%. Disparities in stage and treatment accounted for approximately 53% of the excess mortality, whereas factors other than stage and treatment accounted for approximately 17%.
Host and geographic structure of endophytic and endolichenic fungi at a continental scale

 Premise of the study: Endophytic and endolichenic fungi occur in healthy tissues of plants and lichens, respectively, playing potentially important roles in the ecology and evolution of their hosts. However, previous sampling has not comprehensively evaluated the biotic, biogeographic, and abiotic factors that structure their communities.  Methods: Using molecular data we examined the diversity, composition, and distributions of 4154 endophytic and endolichenic Ascomycota cultured from replicate surveys of ca. 20 plant and lichen species in each of fiNorth American sites (Madrean coniferous forest, Arizona; montane semideciduous forest, North Carolina; scrub forest, Florida; Beringian tundra and forest, western Alaska; subalpine tundra, eastern central Alaska).  Key results: Endolichenic fungi were more abundant and diverse per host species than endophytes, but communities of endophytes were more diverse overall, refl ecting high diversity in mosses and lycophytes. Endophytes of vascular plants were largely distinct from fungal communities that inhabit mosses and lichens. Fungi from closely related hosts from different regions were similar in higher taxonomy, but differed at shallow taxonomic levels. These differences refl ected climate factors more strongly than geographic distance alone.  Conclusions: Our study provides a fi rst evaluation of endophytic and endolichenic fungal associations with their hosts at a continental scale. Both plants and lichens harbor abundant and diverse fungal communities whose incidence, diversity, and composition refl ect the interplay of climatic patterns, geographic separation, host type, and host lineage. Although culture-free methods will inform future work, our study sets the stage for empirical assessments of ecological specifi city, metabolic capability, and comparative genomics.
Ingested interferon α suppresses Type I diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice

Type I diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder that results from autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cell. The non-obese diabetic mouse is a model of the human autoimmune disease Type I diabetes [1-3]. We have previously shown that ingested type 1 interferon inhibits chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and the adoptive transfer of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelites by T cells, and decreases both antigen-specific and mitogen-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in this disorder. We therefore tried to determine whether ingested murine interferon alpha inhibits insulinitis and suppresses Type I diabetes mellitus in non-obese diabetic mice. Murine interferon alpha, given daily, decreased islet inflammation and suppressed diabetes. It increased the concanavalin A and ionomycin plus myristic acid palmitic ester-induced production of interleukin 4 and 10 and interferon gamma-secretion in spleen cells from treated mice. Adoptive transfer of unstimulated splenocytes secreting interleukin 4 and interleukin 10 from fed interferon alpha donors suppressed spontaneous diabetes mellitus in recipients. The protective effect of adoptively transferred unstimulated splenocytes shows the presence of ingested interferon alpha-activated regulatory splenic cell populations that may work via increased interleukin 4 or interleukin 10 production. Ingested interferon alpha administered during vulnerable periods in at-risk populations may potentially provide a continuous, convenient, non-toxic and effective treatment for Type I diabetes.
MR imaging of anterior cruciate ligament tears: is there a gender gap?

Objective Clinically, females receive anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears more commonly than males. We explored whether gender differences exist in MR imaging patterns of ACL tears.
Photocatalytic Layer-by-Layer Coatings for Degradation of Acutely Toxic Agents

Highly reactive layer-by-layer (LbL) films have been developed as protective coatings intended for application on fibers worn by military personnel. In this work, the anionic species are titanium dioxide nanoparticles ranging from 5 to 10 nm in size, which are prepared in a stable colloidal solution specifically designed for this application, while the cationic species can be one of several traditional synthetic polycations, including weak and strong polyelectrolytes. The resulting coatings are mechanically stable and offer selective protection when the wearer is exposed to UV radiation (e.g.,sunlight); whereas the inherent water transmissive nature of the multilayers allows for much greater water vapor transport rates as compared to an inert rubber barrier material. Permeation tests of coated materials were conducted in a specially engineered cell by exposing the materials to a CWA simulant. In the extreme case, when a coated material is subjected to a saturated vapor of the CWA simulant, UV exposure res...
Using a Substitute Activity to Eliminate Eye Poking in a 3‐year‐old Visually Impaired Child in the Classroom

This paper documents the effectiveness of a substitute activity in decreasing the frequency of eye poking in a 3‐year‐old nonretarded visually impaired child who was involved in a highly participat...
The fractal structure of evolution

Abstract The claim is made that everything we know of, including our physical laws and space with its symmetries, occurred through evolution. Each evolution is a complete component of the preceding evolution. Every evolution is subject to the same mechanisms. The fact that all evolutions have self-similar structures and are encapsuled in one another calls to mind Mandelbrot's fractal geometry.
How to Polymerize in Order to Survive

Perforation of membranes and pore formation is mediated by polymerization of proteins of the immune system, complement C9 and Perforin, which share the conserved MACPF domain. In this issue of Immunity, Baran et al. (2009) identify the molecular mechanism initiating polymerization as charge interactions in the MACPF domain.
DNA template requirements for human mismatch repair in vitro.

The human mismatch repair pathway is competent to correct DNA mismatches in a strand-specific manner. At present, only nicks are known to support strand discrimination, although the DNA end within the active site of replication is often proposed to serve this role. We therefore tested the competence of DNA ends or gaps to direct mismatch correction. Eight G·T templates were constructed which contained a nick or gap of 4, 28, or ∼200 nucleotides situated ∼330 bp away in either orientation. A competition was established in which the mismatch repair machinery had to compete with gap-filling replication and ligation activities for access to the strand discontinuity. Gaps of 4 or 28 nucleotides were the most effective strand discrimination signals for mismatch repair, whereas double strand breaks did not direct repair to either strand. To define the minimal spatial requirements for access to either the strand signal or mismatch site, the nicked templates were linearized close to either site and assayed. As few as 14 bp beyond the nick supported mismatch excision, although repair synthesis failed using 5′-nicked templates. Finally, asymmetric G·T templates with a remote nick and a nearby DNA end were repaired efficiently.
Surface adsorption of dextrans on human red cell membrane

The adsorption isotherms of dextrans with molecular weights of 40,000 (Dx 40), 74,000 (Dx 70), and 450,000 (Dx 500) were studied on normal red blood cells (RBCs) and RBCs with surface charge depleted by neuraminidase treatment. The adsorption curves on neuraminidase-treated RBCs showed a two-step behavior with secondary adsorption commencing at a bulk concentration of approximately 5 g/100 ml. A plateau adsorption of approximately 9 × 10−14 g/RBC was attained with bulk concentrations between 12 and 20 g/100 ml. Normal RBCs showed similar adsorption curves as neuraminidase-treated RBCs in Dx 70, as well as in Dx 500, with bulk concentrations up to 5 g/100 ml. Further increases in bulk concentration of Dx 70 or Dx 500 caused greater adsorption on normal RBCs than on neuraminidase-treated RBCs, with a plateau concentration of approximately 15 × 10−14 g/RBC. Adsorption of Dx 40 on normal RBCs was higher than that on neuraminidase-treated RBCs at all bulk concentrations. These results on surface adsorption have been correlated with the aggregation behavior of the same cell systems. The data offer evidence in support of the hypothesis that surface adsorption of dextrans leads to RBC aggregation by bridging adjacent cell surfaces. The results also indicate that the adsorption of dextrans to RBC surface is a dynamic, reversible process in which the adsorbed molecules exchange readily with the molecules in the bulk or those attached to another cell surface. RBC aggregation is associated with an apparent decrease in surface adsorption as the opposing cell surfaces in the aggregate share their adsorption sites via the same dextran molecules.
Prenatal diagnosis of a familial Xq deletion in a female fetus: a case report

X chromosome deletion is an infrequent finding in prenatal diagnosis and presents a difficult counseling challenge when it occurs. We present a case of a familial X chromosome long arm deletion discovered in a routine amniocentesis and subsequently in the mother. The pregnancy resulted in the birth of a normal girl, and X chromosome inactivation skewing was demonstrated in both mother and daughter. Xq deletion phenotypes and counseling issues are reviewed.
Chromosomal integration of the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene in Burkholderia and Pseudomonas for the purpose of producing stable engineered strains with enhanced bioremediating ability

Using the pUT-miniTn5 vector system developed by the laboratory of K.N. Timmis, the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene (vgb) was integrated into the chromosomes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia; Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) was expressed at 8.8 and 0.8 nmol/g wet weight of cells in the respective engineered strains. The vgb-bearing P. aeruginosa outgrew wild-type P. aeruginosa and degraded benzoic acid faster than the latter strain at both normal and low aeration. In contrast, the vgb-bearing B. cepacia strain had a growth advantage over the wild-type strain at ca. 90 ppm, but not at ca. 120 ppm 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT); no difference in DNT degradation was seen between the two strains at either normal or low aeration. The results demonstrate the practicality of enhancing bioremediation with vgb stably integrated into the chromosome, but also suggest that a minimal level of VHb expression is required for its beneficial effects to be seen. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2001) 27, 27–33.
Kathryn M. Moncrief and Kathryn R. McPherson (eds). Performing Pedagogy in Early Modern England: Gender, Instruction, and Performance . Aldershot: Ashgate, 2011. Pp 248.

This review considers Performing Pedagogy in Early Modern England: Gender, Instruction, and Performance.
A mechanism of inhibition of short-wavelength ultraviolet light-induced deamination of pyrimidine bases by ascorbic acid

The relation of ascorbic acid to the ultraviolet light-induced deamination of cytosine (to uracil) and 5-methylcytosine (to thymine) was examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. There was an inverse relation between the uracil content measured in solutions of cytosine after exposure to short wavelength (254 nm) ultraviolet light and the ascorbic acid concentration of the solution indicating inhibition of deamination of cytosine by ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid also inhibited ultraviolet light-induced deamination of 5-methylcytosine. The ascorbic acid was only partially consumed during the exposure suggesting that protection from deamination was not due entirely to the antioxidant properties of ascorbic acid. Mercaptoethanol did not prevent ultraviolet light-induced deamination of either cytosine or 5-methylcytosine. However, near identical protection from ultraviolet light-induced deamination was provided by 4-aminobenzoic acid and ascorbic acid at equivalent ultraviolet light absorbing concentrations. This observation suggests that ascorbic acid prevents short wavelength ultraviolet light-induced deamination through absorbance of ultraviolet light rather than through antioxidant mechanisms.
Kolmogorov complexity estimates for detection of viruses in biologically inspired security systems: a comparison with traditional approaches

This article presents results in two mutually complementary areas: distributed immunological information assurance and a new signature-matching technique based on Kolmogorov Complexity. This article introduces a distributed model for security based on biological paradigms of epidemiology and immunology. In this model each node in the network has an immune system that identifies and destroys pathogens in the incoming network traffic as well as files resident on the node. The network nodes present a collective defense to the pathogens by working symbiotically and sharing pathogen information with each other. Each node compiles a list of pathogens that are perceived as threats by using information provided from all the nodes in the network. The signatures for these pathogens are incorporated into the detector population of the immune systems to increase the probability of detection. Critical to the success of this system is the detection scheme, which should not only be accurate but also efficient. Three separate schemes for detecting pathogens are examined, namely, contiguous string matching, Hamming distance, and Kolmogorov Complexity. This work provides a model of the system and examines the efficiency of different detection schemes. A simulation model is built to study the sensitivity of model parameters, such as signature length, sampling rate, and network topology, to detection of pathogens.
Metabolism of [14C] crufomate (4-t-butyl-2-chlorophenyl methyl methylphosphoramidate) by the sheep†

Twenty-five metabolites were isolated from the urine, feces or plasma of sheep given single oral doses of [14C]crufomate (4-t-butyl-2-chlorophenyl methyl methylphosphoramidate). These metabolites resulted from one or more of the following transformations: oxidatin of a methyl group in the t-butyl moiety to yield either an alcohol or a carboxylic acid; hydrolysis of the phosphate and phosphate and phosphoramidate bonds; oxidatin of the N-methyl group to yield N-formyl phosphoramidates; methylation of the N-formyl group to yield N-methyl-N-formyl phosphoramidates; oxidative N-demethylation; conjugation with glucuronic acid. No ring-hydroxylation of dechlorination was observed, and no crufonate was isolated from the urine, feces or plasma.
A Simple Scheme for Calculating Aqueous Solubility, Vapor Pressure and Henry's Law Constant: Application to the Chlorobenzenes

Abstract Aqueous solubility, vapor pressure, and Henry's law constant are among the most environmentally relevant properties of organic compounds. In this paper a simple scheme is developed which allows for the calculation of the above properties directly from chemical structural information. Equations are developed which express the environmentally relevant properties in terms of group contributions and molecular symmetry. The user friendly scheme utilizes a minimum number of molecular descriptors which are based upon a single molecular fragmentation pattern. No fitted parameters are used. The predictions are applied to and verified for the twelve chlorobenzenes. Since these compounds were not utilized in the development of any of the group contribution values, they represent a true test of the relationships developed. It is shown that the average error in calculating aqueous solubility, vapor pressure and Henry's law constant is comparable to the average deviation among the experimental data.
Product counterfeiting at the state level: An empirical examination of Michigan-related incidents

Product counterfeiting represents a range of criminal activities associated with intellectual property rights infringement of material goods. Virtually, any product, from pharmaceuticals and food to auto parts and electronics, can be counterfeited. Although the precise extent of product counterfeiting is not known, by most accounts the problem is substantially large and growing, and affects many, including consumers, industry, and governments. Despite the scope and scale of the problem, to date there are few empirical examinations of product counterfeiting. To address this gap and help policymakers better understand and respond to this problem, this article systematically examines the nature of product counterfeiting incidents related to Michigan as evident in the open-source literature. We develop initial evidence-based policy lessons to generate discussion about this crime and highlight directions for future research.
Harmonic identification using an Echo State Network for adaptive control of an active filter in an electric ship

A shunt active filter is a power electronic device used in a power system to decrease “harmonic current pollution” caused by nonlinear loads. The Echo State Network (ESN) has been widely used as an effective system identifier with much faster training speed than the other Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs). However, only a few attempts have been made to use an ESN as a system controller. As the first attempt to use an ESN in indirect neurocontrol, this paper proposes an indirect adaptive neurocontrol scheme using two ESNs to control a shunt active filter in a multiple-reference frame. As the first step in the proposed neurocontrol scheme, an online system identifier using an ESN is implemented in the Innovative Integration M67 card consisting of the TMS320C6701 processor to identify the load harmonics in a typical electric ship power system. The shunt active filter and the ship power system are simulated using a Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) system. The required computational effort and the system identification accuracy of an ESN with different dynamic reservoir size are discussed, which can provide useful information for similar applications in the future. The testing results in the real-time implementation show that the ESN is capable of providing fast and accurate system identification for the indirect neurocontrol of a shunt active filter.
KINETICS OF THE SUBSTITUTION REACTIONS OF A Cr(III)-PORPHYRIN

Abstract Substitution reactions of low-spin ‘d6’ Co(III) cobalamins (derivatives of vitamin B12) are usually rapid.1 The vitamin B12 model compounds2 such as dimethylglyoximates of Co(III) are kinetically inert as are most other Co(III) complexes.3,4 In order to understand the cause for this, Fleischer et al.,5 carried out some experiments on Co(III)-porphyrins. The substitution reactions of Co(III)-hematoporphyrins were found to be rapid although not as fast as similar reactions in the aquocobalamin system. In furtherance of that study, we have carried out some experiments on meso-tetra-(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphinato chromium(III).6 The substitution reactions of this Cr(III)-porphyrin also were rapid unlike the normal inert Cr(III) complexes. The detailed results are presented in this paper with discussion concerning the basis for the porphyrin molecule labilizing the substitution reactions in the usually inert Co(III) and Cr(III) ions.
Computerized speech recognition in psychological assessment: A Macintosh prototype for screening depressive symptoms

Computerized speech-recognition technology holds strong promise for psychological assessment. This paper focuses on a computerized speech recognition application for screening depressive symptomatology. A Macintosh-based prototype has been developed that uses the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D). The prototype is a HyperCard stack interfaced with the Voice Navigator II speech recognition application. The “talking” program represents a viable depression screening tool that is fully voice operated by the respondent. A pilot study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of the computerized and written versions of the CES-D with a nonclinical adult population. A counterbalanced design will test for order effects and analyze the psychometric equivalence of the two methods. The limitations and future directions for speech-recognition applications in psychological assessment are discussed.
The Half Field Line of Tetrakis(Dimethtlglyoximato)Dicopper(II) in Glasses

Abstract We have reported recently the finding1 of triplet state EPR spectra in glasses of tetrakis(dimethylglyoximato)dicopper(II) in ethyl alcohol (a.) at 77°K. Now we wish to report the resolution of the half field band (HMIN) and the observation of metal and ligand nuclear hyperfine structure on this band. In previous studies of half field lines, the metal nuclear hyperfine has been sufficiently2,3,4 clear to interpret only in a few cases and the ligand nuclear hyperfine has never been observed before.
Effect of lactation on maternal postpartum cardiac function and adiposity: a murine model

Objective Lactation is associated with reduction in maternal metabolic disease and hypertension later in life; however, findings in humans may be confounded by socioeconomic factors. We sought to determine the independent contribution of lactation on cardiovascular parameters and adiposity in a murine model. Study Design Following delivery, CD-1 female mice were randomly divided into 2 groups: lactated (L; nursed pups for 3 weeks, n = 10), and nonlactated (NL; pups were removed after birth, n = 12). Blood pressure (BP) was assessed prepregnancy and at 1 and 2 months' postpartum. Visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue determined by computed tomography and left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac output, and the E/A ratio determined by microultrasound were evaluated at 1 and 2 months' postpartum. The results were analyzed using a Student t test (significance at P Results We observed a significantly different maternal BP at 2 months' postpartum with relatively greater BP in NL (systolic BP: NL, 122.2 ± 7.2 vs L, 96.8 ± 9.8 mm Hg; P = .04; diastolic BP: NL, 87.0 ± 6.8 vs L, 65.9 ± 6.2 mm Hg; P = .04). Visceral adipose tissue was significantly increased in NL mice at 1 (22.0 ± 4.1% vs 10.7 ± 1.8%, P = .04) and 2 months' postpartum (22.9 ± 3.5% vs 11.2 ± 2.2%, P = .02), whereas subcutaneous adipose tissue did not differ between the groups. At 2 months' postpartum, ejection fraction (51.8 ± 1.5% vs 60.5 ± 3.8%; P = .04), cardiac output (14.2 ± 1.0 vs 18.0 ± 1.3 mL/min; P = .02) and mitral valve E/A ratio (1.38 ± 0.06 vs 1.82 ± 0.13; P = .04) were significantly lower in NL mice than L mice. Conclusion Our data provide evidence that interruption of lactation adversely affects postpartum maternal cardiovascular function and adiposity.
Expression of the gene for preproatriopeptin in the central nervous system of the rat

Atriopeptin (AP) is a peptide hormone synthesized and secreted by the atria of the heart that participates in the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance. AP-like materials have been detected immunologically in neurons in the central nervous system of the rat. In this study, we have used a solution hybridization-nuclease protection assay to determine whether the brain of the rat contains RNA coding preproatriopeptin, the atrial biosynthetic precursor of AP, and to study the regional distribution of preproatriopeptin mRNA in the brain. We have found that the brain contains mRNA identical to the atrial messenger RNA for preproatriopeptin. AP mRNA is differentially distributed in the brain; the highest concentration was found in the hypothalamus, followed by the cortex and septum, hippocampus, midbrain, spinal cord, olfactory bulb, striatum, and pons and medulla. Very low levels were found in the cerebellum, while no detectable AP mRNA was observed in retina, anterior pituitary, or rat liver. The presence of AP mRNA in the brain demonstrates that neurons have the capacity to synthesize preproatriopeptin identical to that produced in the heart. Bioactive peptides produced from this precursor may be endogenous central neuromodulators as well as a circulating hormone.
Effect of pregnancy on ritodrine pharmacokinetics

Dosing regimens for ritodrine are based in large part on pharmacokinetic studies performed with nonpregnant subjects. Pregnancy is characterized by changes in renal blood flow, plasma volume, protein concentration, and hepatic function. These physiologic changes frequently alter drug pharmacokinetics. To define the effect of pregnancy on ritodrine kinetics, we compared ritodrine pharmacokinetics in four pregnant and four nonpregnant rhesus monkeys. Significant differences were demonstrated in the distribution phase half-life (0.40 α 0.08 hours in the pregnant monkeys and 0.21 α 0.03 hours in the nonpregnant animals), volume of distribution (1.99 α 0.94 L/kg in the pregnant monkeys and 4.75 α 0.90 L/kg in the nonpregnant animals), plasma clearance (18.8 α 7.1 ml/min/kg in the pregnant monkeys and 27.2 α 5.0 ml/min/kg in the nonpregnant animals), and disposition half-life (1.8 α 0.4 hours in the pregnant monkeys and 3.3 α 0.4 hours in the nonpregnant animals). Pregnant animals receiving ritodrine had higher steady-state plasma concentrations than nonpregnant animals (104 versus 53 ng/ml at an infusion rate of 2 μg/kg/min). These data indicate that dosing regimens for ritodrine based on studies of nonpregnant subjects may be subject to considerable error.
Plant genetic suppression of the non-nodulation phenotype of Rhizobium meliloti host-range nodH mutants: gene-for-gene interaction in the alfalfa-Rhizobium symbiosis?

Rhizobium nodulation genes can produce active extracellular signals for legume nodulation. The R. meliloti host-range nodH gene has been postulated to mediate the transfer of a sulfate to a modified lipo-oligosaccharide, which in its sulfated form is a specific nodulation factor for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). We found that alfalfa was capable of effective nodulation with signal-defective and non-nodulating nodH mutants (Nnr) defining a novel gene-for-gene interaction that conditions nodulation. Bacteria-free nodules that formed spontaneously at about a 3–5% rate in unselected seed populations of alfalfa cv ‘Vernal’ in the total absence of Rhizobium (Nar) exhibited all the histological, regulatory and ontogenetic characteristics of alfalfa nodules. Inoculation of such populations with nodH mutants, but not with nodA or nodC mutants, produced a four- to five-fold increase in the percentage of nodulated plants. Some 10–25% of these nodulated plants formed normal pink nitrogen-fixing nodules instead of white empty nodules. About 70% of the S1 progeny of such Nnr+ plants retained the parental phenotype; these plants were also able to form nodules in the absence of Rhizobium. If selected Nar+ plants were self-pollinated almost the entire progeny exhibited the parental Nar+ phenotype. Segregation analysis of S1 and S2 progeny from selected Nar+ plants suggests that the Nar character is monogenic dominant and that the nodulation phenotype is controlled by a gene dose effect. The inoculation of different S1 Nar+ progeny with nodH mutant bacteria gave only empty non-fixing nodules. Our results indicate that certain alfalfa genotypes can be selected for suppression of the non-nodulation phenotype of nodH mutants. The fact that the Nnr plant phenotype behaved as a dominant genetic trait and that it directly correlated with the ability of the selected plants to form nodules in the absence of Rhizobium suggests that the interaction of plant and bacterial alleles occurs early during signal transduction through the alteration of a signal reception component of the plant so that it responds to putative signal precursors.
Computer adaptive testing improved accuracy and precision of scores over random item selection in a physical functioning item bank.

Abstract Backgrond and Objective Measuring physical functioning (PF) within and across postacute settings is critical for monitoring outcomes of rehabilitation; however, most current instruments lack sufficient breadth and feasibility for widespread use. Computer adaptive testing (CAT), in which item selection is tailored to the individual patient, holds promise for reducing response burden, yet maintaining measurement precision. We calibrated a PF item bank via item response theory (IRT), administered items with a post hoc CAT design, and determined whether CAT would improve accuracy and precision of score estimates over random item selection. Methods 1,041 adults were interviewed during postacute care rehabilitation episodes in either hospital or community settings. Responses for 124 PF items were calibrated using IRT methods to create a PF item bank. We examined the accuracy and precision of CAT-based scores compared to a random selection of items. Results CAT-based scores had higher correlations with the IRT-criterion scores, especially with short tests, and resulted in narrower confidence intervals than scores based on a random selection of items; gains, as expected, were especially large for low and high performing adults. Conclusion The CAT design may have important precision and efficiency advantages for point-of-care functional assessment in rehabilitation practice settings.
Subsurface Sequestration of CO2 in the U.S: Is it Money Best Spent?

The continuously decreasing average coal rank (heating value), inadequate investment, and ever stricter air-emission controls have caused the average efficiency of electricity generation from coal in the U.S. to plummet to a mere 32% by the year 2008. The U.S. gas-fired powerplants are 30% more efficient than the coal-fired ones, with average efficiency of 43% in 2008. Replacing each 1,000 MW e generated by an average coal-fired powerplant with an average gas-fired powerplant would avoid today 7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, 1.2 million tonnes of toxic ash, and significant issues with water contamination. The parallel upgrades to the more efficient supercritical steam turbines would decrease current emissions by up to 50% (from the current average plant efficiency of 32% to over 45%). The CO2 captured in the new combined-cycle powerplants might be used to enhance oil recovery in local fields, where feasible. The CO2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR) can never become the main sink for the gigantic CO2 volume generated each year by electric powerplants. Currently, EOR could absorb only 1% of that volume.
Developing leadership identity through critical reflection: voice, knowledge and advocacy

This article describes the leadership identity development of an American Latina teacher as she moves from the domain of her classroom outward to lead her grade level team, school leadership team and school district personnel. The leadership master’s degree programme is grounded in transformative learning theory, emphasizes social justice and equity, and employs systematic critical reflection. Through structured critical reflections over two years, Cecilia examines her own experiences as a student and teacher, interprets her individual educational journey in the context of broader societal patterns, and documents her development as a school leader. This case illustrates the power of critical reflection to integrate personal, cultural and professional experiences and promote leadership identity development of one woman of colour.
Non-Muscle Myosin IIA at the Immunological Synapse: Integration of Mechanical Regulation with T Cell Signaling

Activation of T cell receptor (TCR) by antigens occurs in concert with an elaborate multi-scale spatial reorganization of proteins at the immunological synapse, the junction between a T cell and an antigen-presenting cell (APC). Signaling through discrete T cell receptors (TCRs) in the context of immunological synapse, involves the orchestrated movement and reorganization of TCR microclusters. The frictional coupling between the actin cytoskeleton and protein microclusters has been proposed to be essential for the spatial organization of signaling receptors at all length scales, but the role of molecular motors in this process is largely unknown. By using the hybrid live T cells-supported membrane platform, we study the role of myosin motors in the synapse formation of primary T cells and explore a possible mechanical mechanism of signal modulation involving myosin II.
Q matter in the field of an abelian dyon admitting parity violating anomalous couplings

The properties of a configuration of two scalar doublets admitting a global SO(2) symmetry is studied in the presence of an abelian dyon core when the scalar doublets are coupled to the electromagnetic field through parity violating and parity preserving terms. The mass and the conserved global charge of theQ configuration are computed in terms of the parameters of the lagrangian.
Space–time modeling of 20 years of daily air temperature in the Chicago metropolitan region

We analyze 20 years of daily minimum and maximum air temperature data in the Chicago metropolitan region and propose a parsimonious model that describes their mean function and the space–time covariance structure. The mean function contains a long-term trend, annual and semiannual harmonics, and physical covariates such as latitude, distance to the Lake Michigan, and winds, each interacted with the harmonic terms, thus allowing the effects of physical covariates to vary smoothly over time. The temporal correlation at a given location is described using an ARMA(1,2) model. The residuals (innovations) from this models are treated as independent replications of a spatial process with covariance structure in the Matern class. The space–time covariance structure parameters are allowed to vary seasonally. Using the estimated covariance structure, we interpolate the temperature to a fine grid in the Chicago metropolitan region. This procedure borrows information from temporally and spatially adjacent data. The methods presented in this paper should be useful to approach other environmental problems where the data are discrete and regular in time but irregular in space. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toxic materials released from photovoltaic modules during fires: Health risks

Abstract Concern exists about potential health hazards associated with toxic materials released during fires from cadmium telluride, copper indium diselenide and gallium arsenide photovoltaic modules. In response to this concern, this report characterizes: scenarios specifying quantities of materials present in residential (5 kWp), commercial (100 kWp) and substation-level (500 kWp) photovoltaic installations; rates of release of these materials from such arrays during a fire; atmospheric transport of combustion by-products from point of release to point of intake by nearby human populations; sensitivity and response of exposed human populations to these chemicals; and incidence of such fires. Analyses presented in this report suggest that the risks from combustion by-products emitted during a fire should not be large, especially from residential and substation-level array fields. In commercial-scale applications, the risk may be larger because of the quantities of materials present and the increased probability of a fire occurring. For these applications, it would be prudent to develop simple mitigation strategies to protect public health, e.g. alerting all residents within about 1–2 km of a fire to remain in their homes and to close all windows.
NES++: number system for encryption based privacy preserving speaker verification

As speech based operation becomes a main hand-free interaction solution between human and mobile devices (i.e., smartphones, Google Glass), privacy preserving speaker verification receives much attention nowadays. Privacy preserving speaker verification can be achieved through many different ways, such as fuzzy vault and encryption. Encryption based solutions are promising as cryptography is based on solid mathematic foundations and the security properties can be easily analyzed in a well established framework. Most current asymmetric encryption schemes work on finite algebraic structures, such as finite group and finite fields. However, the encryption scheme for privacy preserving speaker verification must handle floating point numbers. This gap must be filled to make the overall scheme practical. In this paper, we propose a number system that meets the requirements of both speaker verification and the encryption scheme used in the process. It also supports addition homomorphic property of Pailliers encryption, which is crucial for privacy preserving speaker verification. As asymmetric encryption is expensive, we propose a method of packing several numbers into one plain-text and the computation overhead is greatly reduced. To evaluate the performance of this method, we implement Pailliers encryption scheme over proposed number system and the packing technique. Our findings show that the proposed solution can fulfill the gap between speaker verification and encryption scheme very well, and the packing technique improves the overall performance. Furthermore, our solution is a building block of encryption based privacy preserving speaker verification, the privacy protection and accuracy rate are not affected.
Extensions of Radstrom's lemma with application to stability theory of mathematical programming

Abstract In 1952, Radstrom proved a lemma which states that the Hausdorff distance between two convex sets A and B equals the Hausdorff distance between the translated sets A + X and B + X , provided X is bounded. This paper extends this result to more general types of translations. The theory developed is then applied to the problem of establishing upper bounds on the Hausdorff distance between two unbounded convex feasible regions, one of which is obtained by perturbing the data defining the other.