cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Pressure on the Hyperfine Structure of F Centers in LiF

An electron-spin-resonance study at room temperature has been performed on $F$ centers in LiF at hydrostatic pressures up to 4 kbar. An average value for the variation of the hyperfine constants with pressure is found to be ${a}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}a}{\ensuremath{\partial}P}=(2.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ ${\mathrm{bar}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. This result, when taken with the bulk compressibility of LiF, and the behavior with pressure of the optical transitions of $F$ centers in alkali halides, gives moderately good agreement with the point-ion model of Gourary and Adrian.
Deterministic fallacies and model validation

Stochastic settings differ from deterministic ones in many subtle ways, making it easy to slip into errors through applying deterministic thinking inappropriately. We suspect this is the cause of much of the disagreement about model validation. A further technical issue is a common misapplication of cross-validation, in which it is applied only partially, leading to incorrect results. Statistical theory and empirical investigation verify the efficacy of cross-validation when it is applied correctly. In settings where data are relatively scarce, cross-validation is attractive in that it makes the maximum possible use of all available information, at the cost of potentially substantial computation. The bootstrap is another method that makes full use of all available data for both model fitting and model validation, at a cost of substantially increased computation, and it shares many of the broad philosophical background of cross-validation. Increasingly, the computational cost of these methods is not a major concern, leading to the recommendation, in most circumstances, to use cross-validation or bootstrapping rather than the earlier standard method of splitting the available data into a learning and a testing portion. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microbial metabolic activity in soil as measured by dehydrogenase determinations

The dehydrogenase technique for measuring the metabolic activity of microorganisms in soil was modified to use a 6-h, 37 degrees C incubation with either glucose of yeast extract as the electron-donating substrate. The rate of formazan production remained constant during this time interval, and cellular multiplication apparently did not occur. The technique was used to follow changes in the overall metabolic activities of microorganisms in soil undergoing incubation with a limiting concentration of added nutrient. The sequence of events was similar to that obtained by using the Warburg respirometer to measure O2 consumption. However, the major peaks of activity occurred earlier with the respirometer. This possibly is due to the lack of atmospheric CO2 during the O2 consumption measurements.
Energy expenditure and symptom severity in men with heart failure

Abstract Our results suggest that resting energy requirements increase with severity of symptoms in patients with advanced heart failure.
On the Measurement of Meaning: Logotherapy's Empirical Contributions to Humanistic Psychology

Meaningful living is a central focus of several humanistic theories and therapies. Measurement of life meaning meets many obstacles, including pragmatic concerns, such as measuring subjective experiences, and theoretical objections often offered by humanistic psychologists. The purpose of this article is to summarize empirical efforts related to logotherapy, a humanistic–existential paradigm, to illustrate the utility of assessment within the larger context of humanistic psychology. An overview of five logotherapeutic measures of meaning is provided. These measures include the Purpose in Life test (PIL), the Life Purpose Questionnaire (LPQ), the Seeking of Noetic Goals test (SONG), the Meaning in Suffering Test (MIST), and the Life Attitude Profile Revised (LAP–R). Directions for use of such measures in future research are also offered.
Power Motivation and Youth: An Analysis of Troubled Students and Student Leaders

The n affiliation, n achievement, and n power of five clusters of ninth-grade students and the differences between the motivational profiles of ninth-grade troubled youth and recognized student leaders were investigated in this study. The participants were grouped through the use of a cluster analysis of variables related to at-risk and leadership characteristics. The Picture Story Exercise (Burruss, 1980), a derivative of the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), was used to measure n power, n achievement, n affiliation, and activity inhibition. A discriminant analysis of the groups indicated that n power discriminates between troubled students and recognized student leaders, whereas n achievement and n affiliation are not statistically significant in the analysis of the maximal differences between these two groups. Implications for counselors are discussed.
Fatigue crack growth analyses of offshore structural tubular joints

Abstract This study investigated various aspects of a fatigue crack growth analysis, ranging from the stress intensity factor solutions to the simulation of a fatigue crack coalescence process of a tubular joint weld toe surface flaw. Fracture mechanics fatigue crack growth analyses for offshore structural tubular joints are not simple, because of the difficulty to calculate the stress intensity factors due to their geometric complexity. The fully mixed-mode stress intensity factors of nine weld toe surface cracks of an X-shaped tubular joint under tension loading were calculated by detailed three-dimensional finite element analyses. Using these stress intensity factor solutions, a fatigue crack growth study was performed for the X-joint until (the crack surface length grew to two times the tube thickness. Through this study, the crack shape change during the fatigue crack propagation was investigated in detail. Fatigue life calculations were also performed for a range of crack geometries using the stress intensity factor solutions of the nine flaws. These calculations indicate that the natural fatigue crack growing path for a crack is its quickest growing path. The study demonstrated that detailed fracture mechanics fatigue analyses of tubular joints can be practical using the finite element method.
Hyperspherical phase synchrony measure for quantifying global synchronization in the brain

Phase synchronization has been proposed as a plausible mechanism to quantify both linear and nonlinear relationships between neuronal populations and to assess functional brain connectivity. However, bivariate phase synchrony is not sufficient for complex system analysis such as the brain where the bivariate relationships do not always reflect the underlying network structure. Recently, multivariate extensions of bivariate phase synchrony has been of interest in investigating the interactions within a group of oscillators. Current extensions are based on either averaging all possible pairwise synchrony values or eigen decomposition of a matrix of bivariate synchronization indices to estimate multivariate synchrony using the entropy of the normalized eigenvalues. All of these approaches are sensitive to the accuracy of the bivariate synchrony indices, cause loss of information, computationally complex and are indirect ways to quantify the multivariate synchrony. In this paper, we propose a novel and direct measure to estimate the multivariate phase synchrony by forming direction vectors in a multidimensional hyperspherical coordinate system. The proposed method is evaluated through application to electroencephalogram (EEG) data containing error-related negativity (ERN) related to cognitive control. We compare the new measure with existing methods and show its effectiveness in quantifying multivariate synchronization of different brain regions.
Movement of Ca(2+)-ATPase molecules within the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle

The endoplasmic reticulum undergoes rapid, microscopic changes in its structure, including extension and anastomosis of tubular elements. Such dynamism is expected to manifest itself also as rapid intermixing of membrane components, at least within subdomains of the endoplasmic reticulum. Here we present evidence of a similar dynamism in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of developing skeletal muscle. The sarcoplasmic reticulum is sometimes considered a specialized type of endoplasmic reticulum, but it appears to be a rather static set of membrane-bound elements, repetitively arranged to enwrap each sarcomere of each myofibril. Both endoplasmic reticulum and sarcoplasmic reticulum contain P-type Ca(2+)-ATPases that transport calcium from the cytosol into their lumen. In the experiments reported here, chicken and mouse cells were fused by polyethylene glycol, natural myogenic cell fusion, or Sendai virus. The redistribution of Ca(2+)-ATPase molecules between chick and mouse endoplasmic reticulum/sarcoplasmic reticulum was followed by immunofluorescence microscopy in which species-specific monoclonal antibodies to chick and mouse Ca(2+)-ATPases were used. Redistribution was time- and temperature-dependent but independent of protein synthesis as well as the method of cell fusion. Intermixing occurred on a time scale of tens of minutes at 37 degrees C. These results verify the dynamic nature of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and illustrate an aspect of the special relationship between endoplasmic reticulum and sarcoplasmic reticulum.
A simple memoryless proof of the capacity of the exponential server timing channel

This paper provides a conceptually simple, memoryless-style proof to the capacity of the Anantharam and Verdu's exponential server timing channel (ESTC). The approach is inspired by Rubin's approach for characterizing the rate-distortion of a Poisson process with structured distortion measures. This approach obviates the need for using the information density to prove achievability, by exploiting: 1) the ESTC channel on [0, nT] law is a product of [0, T] ESTC channel laws given intermediate queue states; 2) for Poisson inputs, the queue states form a Harris-recurrent Markov process. Achievability is subsequently shown by first demonstrating via the law of large numbers for Markov chains that an AEP holds, followed by standard random coding arguments. We extend our methodology to demonstrate achievability with Poisson inputs for any point process channel where the conditional intensity at any time is only a function of the queue state. Lastly, we demonstrate achievability with Poisson inputs for the tandem queue.
On the origin of the magnetic field in type-1 comet tails - A reply to Ershkovich

Ershkovich (1976) employed the observed geometry of the type 1 tail of comet Arend-Roland 1957 III to show that any magnetic field present there cannot be of 'internal' origin but must have been 'captured' from the magnetized solar wind. Such an 'external' origin for the magnetic field in type 1 comet tails is not disputed, but several other points raised by Ershkovich are discussed. These concern the generation of substantial magnetic fields within the coma during periods when the comet's heliocentric distance is typically not greater than 1 AU, Ershkovich's use of the pressure balance across the tail 'tangential discontinuity' to estimate that the 'captured' magnetic field is of the order of the solar wind-field, his interpretation of certain observations of motions in the tail of comet Arend-Roland, and his assertion that the distant comet tail will be transformed into a turbulent wake due to the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. It is argued that the 'captured' magnetic field should be substantially amplified relative to the solar-wind field, that the pressure-balance equation is of limited use, and that the real configuration of a type 1 tail must be treated in detail before any definite conclusions can be reached about the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability.
Score and profile likelihood confidence intervals for contingency table parameters

A straightforward approach to computing score and profile likelihood confidence intervals for contingency table parameters is described. The computational approach herein avoids two main limitations of existing methods: (1) Compared with existing methods, this paper's approach is applicable to a much broader class of parameters. (2) Unlike existing methods, this paper's approach is not case-specific and, hence, lends itself to a general, yet very simple, computational algorithm. This paper describes the 'sliding quadratic' computational algorithm and illustrates its use on examples that have not been previously considered in the literature. A small-scale simulation study highlights the advantage of using score and profile likelihood intervals rather than Wald intervals.
Evidence of the Atrial Location of Receptors Influencing Urine Flow

Receptors believed responsible for the diuresis of negative pressure breathing have been located by observing the effect on urine flow of a stepwise engorgement of the intrathoracic vascular bed. Distension of the pulmonary arterial tree (injection of plastic beads) and of the entire pulmonary circulation (snares on the pulmonary veins) were without effect. A diuresis was however elicited by expansion of a balloon in the left atrium. It is concluded that stretch receptors in the left atrium and terminal pulmonary veins are instrumental in a mechanism linking changes in the actively circulating blood volume with homeostatic responses of the kidney.
Accommodating the Special Learner in Secondary General Music Classes

It can be challenging to know which accommodations for special learners can be used within the various secondary general music class settings. Fortunately, there have been several recent music education and therapy articles based on special education practices that have addressed techniques for working with students with special needs in music. These articles recommend using specific educational supports (e.g., written words, icons, color coding, other visual aids, assistive and supportive technology, echoing, and peer mentoring) to help create successful learning experiences for all students. A synthesis of these educational supports and how they may transfer to secondary general music classes are defined and discussed.
A forced association between the slippersnail Crepidula convexa and the hermit crab Pagurus longicarpus?—possible influence from a third party

The suspension-feeding slippersnail Crepidula convexa is commonly associated with hermit crabs (Pagurus longicarpus) living in periwinkle shells (Littorina littorea) at our study site in Nahant, MA, USA. In 15 field surveys conducted at Nahant in 2000, 2001 and 2003, we found that (1) more than 61.8% of individuals of C. convexa resided on shells occupied by hermit crabs, as opposed to the shells of live periwinkles, empty periwinkle shells or other solid substrates; (2) an average of 8.3% of hermit crabs carried at least one individual of C. convexa; and (3) 39.1– 75.0% of hermit crabs carrying C. convexa were carrying ‘‘large’’ individuals (snails with wet weight >10% of the weight of the periwinkle shells they occupied). However, it is unlikely that individuals of C. convexa seek out shells occupied by hermit crabs to colonize, and they showed no preference for empty periwinkle shells over other solid substrates in the laboratory. Moreover, in the laboratory the hermit crabs preferentially occupied intact shells bearing individuals of C. convexa only when the alternatives were shells that had been drilled by naticid snails. Thus, neither party preferentially associates with the other: rather, extensive predation by naticid snails on periwinkles at Nahant appears to limit the availability of suitable shells for the hermit crabs, forcing them to inhabit shells bearing ‘‘large’’ individuals of C. convexa. Individuals of C. convexa may benefit from this inadvertent association with hermit crabs: by facilitating snail dispersal, transport by hermit crabs should reduce the potential for inbreeding, an important consideration for a species that lacks free-living larvae in its life history. D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Carved from the Heart

Carved from the Heart. 1997. Produced by Louis Brady and Ellen Frankenstein. Distributed by New Day Films. 30 minutes
Culture and eating disorders classification

Objective: This paper discusses cultural considerations for classification of eating disorders. Method: The literature on epidemiology and phenomenology of eating disorders in culturally diverse populations was selectively reviewed to identify methodologic challenges in classification and characterization of prevalence and phenomenology. Results: Prevalence of eating disorders among culturally diverse populations is incompletely characterized. Few studies address the epidemiology of eating disorders or provide qualitative data on variation in presentation in these populations. Unrecognized cultural diversity may result in misclassification of cases. Conclusion: Development of culturally valid assessments, ethnographic data on indigenous nosologic correlates and idioms of distress, and attention to phenomenologic diversity may have critical impact on understanding clinical presentations and risk factors that may be culturally particular. A flexible classificatory system for the eating disorders may help to encompass their culturally based phenomenologic diversity, facilitate culturally sensitive and strategic prevention strategies, and reduce ethnic disparities in access to care for them. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2007
Experience-Dependent Epigenetic Modifications in the Central Nervous System

This mini-review describes recent discoveries demonstrating that experience can drive the production of epigenetic marks in the adult nervous system and that the experience-dependent regulation of epigenetic molecular mechanisms in the mature central nervous system participates in the control of gene transcription underlying the formation of long-term memories. In the mammalian experimental systems investigated thus far, epigenetic mechanisms have been linked to associative fear conditioning, extinction of learned fear, and hippocampus-dependent spatial memory formation. Intriguingly, in one experimental system epigenetic marks at the level of chromatin structure (histone acetylation) have been linked to the recovery of memories that had seemed to be "lost" (i.e., not available for recollection). Environmental enrichment has long been known to have positive effects on memory capacity, and recent studies have suggested that these effects are at least partly due to the recruitment of epigenetic mechanisms by environmental enrichment. Finally, an uncoupling of signal transduction pathways from the regulation of epigenetic mechanisms in the nucleus has been implicated in the closure of developmental critical periods. Taken together, these eclectic findings suggest a new perspective on experience-dependent dynamic regulation of epigenetic mechanisms in the adult nervous system and their relevance to biological psychiatry.
Agricultural development and the industry life cycle on the Brazilian frontier

The occupation of the last remaining tropical forests has been an initiative of many developing nations that is debated by the global community due to impacts on soil erosion, biodiversity loss and contributions to global climate change. Arguments against development range from the irreversible nature of tropical deforestation to the synergistic losses associated with environmental degradation and continued poverty. The focus of this paper is to determine if evidence of market advancements and growth can be found in an Amazonian settlement, thus providing counter-evidence for the boom–bust pattern of development that has been predicted for much of the Amazon. Using panel survey data (for four survey waves between 1996 and 2009), we find trends that are consistent with the industrial life cycle, suggesting a pattern that is more consistent with growth, development and consolidation.
Physician-preferred versus policy-based testing: where do appropriate use criteria fit in?

“It is much more important to know what sort of a patient has a disease than what sort of a disease a patient has. ”—Sir William Osler ([1][1]) Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, accounting for 800,000 myocardial infarctions
The Psychology of Individual Tax Evasion: An Exploration of Personality and Social Cognition

Little is understood about the personalities of tax evaders. This study explored the role of personality traits in a social cognitive model of tax evasion behavior. Participants (N=900) responded to a survey of personality traits, pro-evasion attitude, pro-evasion social norms, and tax evasion behaviors. Results suggest that pro-evasion attitude, pro-evasion social norms, and the personality trait of psychoticism are positively correlated with tax evasion behavior, while conscientiousness and agreeableness are negatively correlated. A multiple mediator analysis indicated that pro-evasion attitude mediates the relation between personality traits and tax evasion behavior, while hierarchical regression analyses indicated that conscientiousness and psychoticism each moderate the effects of pro-evasion attitude on tax evasion behavior. These findings suggest that personality traits significantly affect tax evasion behavior.
Bone strength: more than just bone density

The following bone density measurements have limited utility in determining bone strength because they do not include bone quality: microarchitecture, mineralization, ability to repair damage, collagen structure, crystal size, or marrow composition. Patients with kidney disease have poor bone quality. Newman et al. now describe beneficial effects with raloxifene in an animal model of progressive kidney disease. These biomechanical measurements will be important in the development of medications to decrease fractures in patients.
Abstract T P114: Insulin Resistance in Skeletal Muscle of Chronic Stroke

Risk of glucose intolerance and diabetes increases in chronic stroke. The purpose of this study was to assess insulin sensitivity and glycogen synthase (GS), a known benchmark index of insulin action in skeletal muscle, and to compare the activity of this important regulatory enzyme between paretic (P) and non-paretic (NP) skeletal muscle in chronic stroke. We measured insulin sensitivity (M) and bilateral GS fractional activity (ratio of independent to total activity), in lyophilized microdissected muscle samples obtained after an overnight fast and 2 hrs into a 3-hr 80 mU.m-2.min-1 hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp in 21 stroke survivors (n=15 men, n=6 women) (age: 59±2 yrs, BMI: 31±2 kg/m2, X±SEM). All had hemiparetic gait after ischemic stroke (>6 months), low aerobic capacity (VO2peak, 19.7±1.3 ml/kg/min), and wide range of %body fat (11-48%). Leg lean mass was lower in P than NP (9.3±0.5 vs. 10.0±0.5 kg, P<0.001). Subjects had either normal glucose tolerance (n=7), impaired glucose tolerance (n=7), ...
Linear temperature dependent resistivity at constant volume in Rb3C60.

The normal-state electrical resistivity [rho] of the superconductor Rb[sub 3]C[sub 60] has been measured as a function of temperature and hydrostatic pressure. Under conditions of constant sample volume we find a [ital linear] temperature dependence, [rho][similar to][ital T], in sharp contrast to [rho][similar to][ital T][sup 2] observed under conditions of constant sample pressure. The pressure dependence of [rho] at fixed temperature is exponential, with a reduction in [rho] by more than 50% for 8 kbar at room temperature. Implications for the normal-state scattering mechanism are discussed.
Genetic Divergence Between Anolis carolinensis and its Cuban Progenitor, Anolis porcatus

An electrophoretic comparison was made between Anolis carolinensis from Texas and Georgia and Anolis porcatus from Cuba. At five of 35 presumptive gene loci the Cuban population may be distinguished from the North American population. The Nei genetic distance (o) estimate between the Cuban and North American populations is 0.165 which is slightly above interpopulation, intraspecific distances that have been measured in other lizards. A molecular clock prediction of a Pliocene date of colonization of North America by a Cuban porcatus stock is congruent with a divergence time estimate based on immunological data.
A new genus of trombiculine chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae) from western North America.

A new genus, Dermadelema , is proposed, consisting of the type-species, Euschoengastia furmani (=Euschoengastoides sloomi , new synonymy ), and 3 new species: Dermadelema mojavense , n. sp., holotype from Kern Co., California (type-host Dipodomys panamintinus); D. sleeperi , n. sp., holotype from Sonora, Mexico (type-host Dipodomys merriami ); and D. lynnae , n. sp., holotype from San Bernardino Co., California (type-host Dipodomys merriami ). The genus occurs throughout the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Problems of the Infant of the Diabetic Mother

Great progress has been made in the care of the pregnant woman who has diabetes. Despite this, the risk of the infant of a diabetic mother (IDM) having macrosomia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, respiratory distress syndrome, polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and cardiomyopathy remains. In addition, the IDM has an increased incidence of congenital anomalies, poor neurobehavioral development, and obesity and metabolic abnormalities in later life. Fastidious attention to maternal diabetic control in both the preconceptual and pregnancy periods reduces the risk of these morbidities.
Neurovestibular Compensation following Ototoxic Lesion and Labyrinthectomy

Introduction Unilateral labyrinthectomy and intra-tympanic gentamycin have been employed in the treatment of Meniere's disease, but the efficacy of these techniques has not been well established. Objective The objective of this study is to measure the time course of recovery from a unilateral labyrinthectomy either after ipsilateral topical treatment with gentamicin to the inner ear or without the previous insult. Methods Twenty-nine adult Mongolian gerbils were randomized into two experimental groups. Group 1 ( n = 17) received a right ear gentamicin drug-induced lesion by unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL). Group 2 ( n = 12) only received a right unilateral labyrinthectomy lesion. We measured the horizontal vestibulo-ocular responses in gerbils before and after the lesion. The gerbils received an angular acceleration stimulus and their eye movements were recorded. Results The gentamicin lesion resulted in a quicker recovery. Experimental groups underwent a similar time course of recovery. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups. Both groups displayed adaptation to the lesion by day 21, but long-term compensation did not completely revert to the original pre-lesion state. Conclusions In a lesion requiring both static and dynamic compensation as in UL, the need for a static compensation may alter pre-existing compensation from a previous dynamic insult and require a new compensation. A previous lesion and adaptation is not preserved for a second lesion and the subject has to re-compensate. Therefore, surgical treatment in Meniere's disease such as UL can be considered without prior gentamicin treatment. Static and dynamic compensations do not appear to be as independent as previous studies have suggested.
Effect of statin treatment on aortic valve and coronary artery calcification.

Background and aim of the study Conflicting data exist regarding statins and the progression of aortic valve disease. Hence, further information is required to determine if statin treatment has a beneficial effect on aortic valve calcification, and whether the inflammatory status of the patient affects aortic valve disease progression. The study aim was to evaluate the concomitant effect of statin treatment on aortic valve and coronary artery calcification and to compare results with the inflammatory status of the patient. Methods Sixty-one patients with moderate to severe aortic stenosis (AS) were enrolled in this single-center, prospective observational study evaluating progression of aortic valve calcification. Patients underwent baseline and one-year echocardiography and electron-beam computed tomography. Blood samples were withdrawn at baseline and at one year for measurement of inflammatory biomarkers. Results There was no significant reduction in calcium accumulation in the aortic valve of the statin group compared to the non-statin group, but there was trend towards less progression of calcification for the statin group. A significant inhibition of the coronary artery calcification volume score was observed for the statin group compared to the non-statin group. On echocardiography, statin treatment had no significant impact on aortic valve stenosis. Patients with serum LDL level >130 mg/dl showed less progression of coronary artery calcification when treated with statin drugs. The level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) significantly correlated with the progression of calcification for both the aortic valve and coronary arteries. Conclusion Whilst there was no significant benefit of statin treatment on aortic valve calcification over one year, there was a decreased progression of coronary artery calcification. The baseline level of hsCRP was predictive of progression of both aortic valve and coronary artery calcification, and may identify a high-risk population requiring aggressive control, either with statins or emerging drugs targeted at the inflammatory process of atherosclerosis.
Rebuilding Agriculture and the Environment in Senegal

“It's always with faith that we plant every year here,” said Jean-Pierre Ndour, pastor of the United Methodist Church in Mbour, a coastal city in Senegal. Referring to starting local development pr...
Hope Is a Renewable Resource

The 2012 presidential campaign was a referendum on hope and change. The emotional landscape in 2012 appeared similar to that of 2004. While the level of enthusiasm for Barack Obama was noticeably muted, his campaign narrative “forward” was an effective counternarrative to Governor Mitt Romney’s strategy to invoke voter anger toward Obama concerning slow economic recovery. The 2012 Obama campaign strategy is closely inspected and provides the context in which voters’ responses toward Obama and Romney were measured. While economic concerns dominated the tone of the campaign, which are commonly associated with negative retrospective appraisals of incumbents, research suggests that positive feelings influence retrospective candidate appraisals of Obama.
The Unique Evolutionary Distribution of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 3

Translation, the mechanism by which proteins are synthesized based on the information encoded in mRNA, is an essential process in all living organisms. Consisting of initiation, elongation and termination phases, many aspects of this process are conserved across bacteria and eukaryotes. The elongation phase, in particular, has several well-conserved steps and universally requires two protein elongation (EF) factors. However, fungal translation elongation was determined to be unique in its absolute requirement for a third factor, the ATPase eEF3. While the exact function of eEF3 is unclear, eEF3 binds close to the E-site of the ribosome and has been proposed to facilitate the removal of deacylated tRNA from the E-site. Originally described as a “fungal-specific factor,” recent bioinformatic analysis of eEF3 distribution challenges this designation as eEF3-like proteins are found in other lower order eukaryotes. In agreement with its role as an ATPase, all the putative eEF3 homologs identified have two ABC domains. Critical residues of the two ABC domains involved in nucleotide binding and hydrolysis were highly conserved in all the putative eEF3 homologs identified, supporting the functional role of the homologs as ATPases. The HEAT and chromodomain regions, both of which have been implicated in ribosomal interactions, are less conserved than the ABC domains. Further analysis of these putative eEF3s may facilitate the elucidation of the critical functions of eEF3 in translation elongation and shed light on how the protein synthesis machinery evolved from bacteria to fungi to higher eukaryotes.
Microfluidic Technology Applied to Protein Sizing and Quantitation

A universal task involved in protein characterization is purification, quantitation and identification. For example, protein quantitation is required to calculate and monitor the protein yield after various enrichment or purification processes as well as to optimize and standardize downstream experiments such as protein-proteininteraction studies or protein-drug interaction studies. Protein sizing is commonly used to identify proteins oligomers and monomers. In addition the recombinant protein expression technology facilitates to achieve high throughput protein expression and purification and keep up with the increasing pace of pharmaceutical research [1]. Recombinant protein technology is also increasingly used for manufacturing of proteins to be used as research or diagnostic tools, or as protein therapeutics [2]. With these advances there is a need for standardized, more automated and faster analysis of proteins. Recent development of microfluidic technology offers an interesting alternative to traditional protein analysis methods, such as denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) or capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE).
A Comparison of Various Woven Fabrics Containing Friction, Rotor, and Ring Spun Cotton Yarn Fillings

Fabrics made from friction spun fillings (friction fabrics) had a hand that was judged to be equivalent to fabrics made from ring spun fillings of the same count (ring fabrics). Fabrics with rotor ...
Ischemic Stroke Rate Increases in Young Adults: Evidence for a Generational Effect?

BackgroundThe incidence rates of ischemic stroke and ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have decreased significantly in the United States since 1950. However, there is evidence of f...
Femoral Shaft Fracture

Various common injuries in the pelvis and lower extremity are investigated in this chapter. Significant attention is paid not only to proper diagnostic examination and imaging, but also to optimal nonoperative and operative treatment options to manage these conditions.
The Effects of Alemtuzumab (A) Dose-Sequence upon Rituximab (R)-Induced Reorganization of Lipid Raft Domains and In-Vitro/In Vivo Anti-Tumor Activity.

Following [R] binding, CD20 antigen redistributes into lipid raft domains (LRD) and initiates signaling events leading to apoptosis in malignant B-cells. In addition, the clustering of CD20 receptors into LRD results in a relative increase in the antigen density within a given area of the cell membrane, thus facilitating [R]-mediated complement mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) and/or antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Combinations of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against unique tumor-associated targets can potentially alter the reorganization of LRD and modify their anti-tumor activity. Our main objective was to study the effects of [A] upon [R]-mediated anti-tumor effects. For ADCC/CMC studies, 51 Cr-labeled NHL cells (Raji, DHL-4, DHL-10, Karpas422 or Ramos cells) were exposed to concurrent [A+R], sequential [R→A] or [A→R] prior to the addition of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (effector:target ratio of 40:1) or human serum, respectively. Trastuzumab [I] served as isotype control. Following a 6-hour period incubation, supernatant was harvested and % lysis calculated. In addition, LRD of 1x10 8 Raji cells exposed to similar mAb-combinations were extracted by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. Reorganization of CD20 into LRD was determined by Western blotting. For in vivo studies six to 8 week old SCID mice were inoculated by tail vein injection (iv) with 1x10 6 Raji cells (day 0). After tumor engraftment (Day +7), animals were divided in seven cohorts to receive 8 doses of vehicle control, [R], [A], [I], alternating doses of [R+A], or sequential dosing of [A→R] or [R→A]. MAb were administered IV at 5mg/kg/dose. The end point of the study was overall survival. Statistical analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier survival curves and P values calculated by log rank test. In vitro exposure to [A] prior to [R] therapy resulted a 30 to 50% decrease in rituximab-mediated ADCC. In addition, exposure of Raji cells to [A] led to a decrease in the amount of CD20 reorganized into LRD following rituximab exposure. No decrease in [R]-mediated ADCC or reorganization of CD20 into LRD was observed when [A] was administered following [R] therapy. In vivo studies demonstrated a better anti-tumor activity in animals treated with alternating doses of [R + A], when compared to [R→A], [A→R], [R] or [A] therapy. The median survival for mice treated with combination mAb therapy [R+A] was 90 days, compared to 43 and 70 days for those treated with [R→A] and [A→R] respectively. Combination therapy with [R+A] resulted in a statistically significant longer survival when compared to [R], [A], or [I] (P in vitro exposure of lymphoma cells to [A] prior to [R] resulted in decreased anti-tumor activity that may be explained by impairment in the polarization of CD20 into LRD. The sequence of administration of mAbs being used in combination mAb clinical trials may strongly influence the degree of total anti-tumor activity achieved.
Rectal balloon use limits vaginal displacement, rectal dose, and rectal toxicity in patients receiving IMRT for postoperative gynecological malignancies.

Abstract Pelvic radiotherapy for gynecologic malignancies traditionally used a 4-field box technique. Later trials have shown the feasibility of using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) instead. But vaginal movement between fractions is concerning when using IMRT due to greater conformality of the isodose curves to the target and the resulting possibility of missing the target while the vagina is displaced. In this study, we showed that the use of a rectal balloon during treatment can decrease vaginal displacement, limit rectal dose, and limit acute and late toxicities. Little is known regarding the use of a rectal balloon (RB) in treating patients with IMRT in the posthysterectomy setting. We hypothesize that the use of an RB during treatment can limit rectal dose and acute and long-term toxicities, as well as decrease vaginal cuff displacement between fractions. We performed a retrospective review of patients with gynecological malignancies who received postoperative IMRT with the use of an RB from January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2015. Rectal dose constraint was examined as per Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 1203 and 0418. Daily cone beam computed tomography (CT) was performed, and the average (avg) displacement, avg magnitude, and avg magnitude of vector were calculated. Toxicity was reported according to RTOG acute radiation morbidity scoring criteria. Acute toxicity was defined as less than 90 days from the end of radiation treatment. Late toxicity was defined as at least 90 days after completing radiation. Twenty-eight patients with postoperative IMRT with the use of an RB were examined and 23 treatment plans were reviewed. The avg rectal V40 was 39.3% ± 9.0%. V30 was65.1% ± 10.0%. V50 was 0%. Separate cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images ( n = 663) were reviewed. The avg displacement was as follows: superior 0.4 + 2.99 mm, left 0.23 ± 4.97 mm, and anterior 0.16 ± 5.18 mm. The avg magnitude of displacement was superior/inferior 2.22 ± 2.04 mm, laterally 3.41 ± 3.62 mm, and anterior/posterior 3.86 ± 3.45 mm. The avg vector magnitude was 6.60 ± 4.14 mm. For acute gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities, 50% experienced grade 1 toxicities and 18% grade 2 GI toxicities. For acute genitourinary (GU) toxicities, 21% had grade 1 and 18% had grade 2 toxicities. For late GU toxicities, 7% had grade 1 and 4% had grade 2 toxicities. RB for gynecological patients receiving IMRT in the postoperative setting can limit V40 rectal dose and vaginal displacement. Although V30 constraints were not met, patients had limited acute and late toxicities. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.
Recovery of inter-crystal compton scattering events for sensitivity improvement of sub-250 ps TOF-PET detector

In PET detector designs, high sensitivity is a critical performance parameter required for obtaining images with reasonable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The sensitivity of a PET scanner is primarily determined by the efficiency of detection system (e.g. crystal thickness and solid angle coverage), but could be enhanced by distinguishing and recovering inter-crystal Compton scattering events while maintaining good timing resolution. Generally, identification of such events is based on the measured energies deposited in each crystal; however, the energy performance of SiPM device is affected by the inherent non-linearity of the SiPM response. The measured electric signal exhibits a nonlinear relationship to the number of detected incident photons due to saturation, optical crosstalk, and after pulse. To investigate the sensitivity improvement and timing resolution of inter-crystal Compton scattering events and correct for the presence of saturated SiPM and thus non-linearity in energy, the same experimental setup and procedures would be used for evaluating timing resolution of SiPM devices with different PDE directly coupled to LYSO crystals of various lengths (5 to 25 mm). The timing performance of recovered inter-crystal Compton scattering events is also evaluated.
An overview of hypocretin based therapy in narcolepsy.

Introduction: Narcolepsy with cataplexy is most commonly caused by a loss of hypocretin/orexin peptide-producing neurons in the hypothalamus (i.e., Narcolepsy Type 1). Since hypocretin deficiency i...
Biological responses of Crested and Least auklets to volcanic destruction of nesting habitat in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska

ABSTRACT Crested Auklets (Aethia cristatella) and Least Auklets (A. pusilla) are crevice-nesting birds that breed in large mixed colonies at relatively few sites in the Aleutian Island archipelago, Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and Sea of Okhotsk. Many of these colonies are located on active volcanic islands. The eruption of Kasatochi volcano, in the central Aleutians, on August 7, 2008, completely buried all crevice-nesting seabird habitat on the island. This provided an opportunity to examine the response of a large, mixed auklet colony to a major geological disturbance. Time-lapse imagery of nesting habitat indicated that both species returned to the largest pre-eruption colony site for several years, but subsequently abandoned it within 5 yr after the eruption. In 2010, a rockfall site in a cove north of the old colony site began to accumulate talus, and groups of auklets were observed using the site in 2011. Use of the new colony appeared to coincide with the abandonment of the old colony site by both ...
Modeling effects of risk and social distance on vaccination choice

Despite vaccines' consistently demonstrated effectiveness, vaccination rates remain suboptimal due to vaccine refusal. Low vaccination rates are particularly problematic for individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and thus must rely on herd immunity (i.e., protection of vulnerable individuals due to the high rate of vaccination of other-often socially distant-individuals). The current study uses a novel decision-making task to examine how three variables impacted participants' highest acceptable probability of side effects to their children: 1) the severity of the side effects their children experience, 2) the social distance to the beneficiary of the vaccination, and 3) the probability that the vaccine will prevent disease for that designated beneficiary. Participants' willingness to risk potential side effects of vaccination systematically decreased as the 1) effectiveness of the vaccination decreased, 2) the beneficiary of the vaccination became more socially distant, and 3) the severity of side effects increased. These data were well-described by behavioral economic models used to examine the discounting of other health behavior.
The Dynamics of Institutional Domains

The dynamics of institutional domains inhere in the processes of inter- and intra-institutional differentiation and the structural and cultural mechanisms by which these nodes of differentiation are integrated. To phrase the matter in a way that takes us back to older functionalist theories (Spencer ­1874–1896; Durkheim1893[1963]), the evolution of human societies has involved increasing complexity, with much of this complexity the result of institutional differentiation. For all of the problems with these functional theories, they were on the right track in trying to understand how institutions operate. The first human society contained only one institution – kinship – with all other institutional activities folded into the division of labor of nuclear families in hunting and gathering bands. From the initial institutional base, economy, polity, and religion differentiated; and then from this base, additional domains such as law, education, science, medicine, sport, and art began to evolve.
The material handling system design of integrated manufacturing systems

In this paper, a two-stage hierarchical decision scheme is proposed for the problem of material handling system (MHS) design during the initial design phase of integrated manufacturing systems. The first stage deals with selection of material handling equipment to perform various transportation and handling activities, and specification of their important parameters. A parametric minimum convex cost multicommodity flow formulation is proposed for the problem. The second stage deals with the topological design of the MHS. A discrete directed network design on a plane formulation is proposed. Results from graph theory for the above formulation are discussed, and their implications for the topological design of the MHS are pointed out.