cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy architecture assessment for critical infrastructure resilience

This paper presents an approach for the selection of alternative architectures in a connected infrastructure system to increase resilience of the overall infrastructure system. The paper begins with a description of resilience and critical infrastructure, then summarizes existing approaches to resilience, and presents a fuzzy-rule based method of selecting among alternative infrastructure architectures. This methodology includes considerations which are most important when deciding on an approach to resilience. The paper concludes with a proposed approach which builds on existing resilience architecting methods by integrating key system aspects using fuzzy memberships and fuzzy rule sets. This novel approach aids the systems architect in considering resilience for the evaluation of architectures for adoption into the final system architecture.
THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF C2, C3, AND NH IN COMET 2P/ENCKE

We examine the spatial distribution of C{sub 2}, C{sub 3}, and NH radicals in the coma of comet Encke in order to understand their abundances and distributions in the coma. The observations were obtained from 2003 October 22-24, using the 2.7 m telescope at McDonald Observatory. Building on our original study of CN and OH, we have used our modified version of the vectorial model, which treats the coma as one large cone, in order to reproduce Encke's highly aspherical and asymmetric coma. Our results suggest that NH can be explained by the photodissociation of NH{sub 2}, assuming that NH{sub 2} is produced rapidly from NH{sub 3} in the innermost coma. Our modeling of C{sub 2} and C{sub 3} suggests a multi-generational photodissociation process may be required for their production. Using the results of our previous study, we also obtain abundance ratios with respect to OH and CN. Overall, we find that Encke exhibits typical carbon-chain abundances, and the results are consistent with other studies of comet Encke.
Origin and Physiological Roles of Inflammation

Inflammation underlies a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes. Although the pathological aspects of many types of inflammation are well appreciated, their physiological functions are mostly unknown. The classic instigators of inflammation - infection and tissue injury - are at one end of a large range of adverse conditions that induce inflammation, and they trigger the recruitment of leukocytes and plasma proteins to the affected tissue site. Tissue stress or malfunction similarly induces an adaptive response, which is referred to here as para-inflammation. This response relies mainly on tissue-resident macrophages and is intermediate between the basal homeostatic state and a classic inflammatory response. Para-inflammation is probably responsible for the chronic inflammatory conditions that are associated with modern human diseases.
A computational approach for evaluating the probability of acoustic detection of a military vehicle

ADRPM (Acoustic Detection Range Prediction Model) is a software program that models the propagation of acoustic energy through the atmosphere and evaluates detectability. ADRPM predicts the distance of detection for a noise source based on the acoustic signature of the source. In this paper the assessment of the acoustic signature which characterizes a vehicle is performed by the conventional Boundary Element Analysis (BEA), and by the Energy Boundary Element Analysis (EBEA). BEA is used for computing the radiated noise for the 1/3 octave bands up to 500Hz, and the EBEA is used for the remaining frequency range. By combining the conventional BEA (for low frequency) with the EBEA (for high frequency), it is possible to perform noise radiation computations over the entire frequency range in a seamless manner. Once the initial detection range is predicted, the main contributors to the acoustic detection are identified and their location on the vehicle is modified in order to assess the corresponding effect to the detectability.
Variations of cardiac glycogen and plasma inorganic phosphorus with age and sex in the white rat.

Plasma inorganic phosphorus and cardiac glycogen were measured in fed and fasted male and female Sprague-Dawley rats varying in age from weaning to maturity. In fed animals of both sexes, plasma inorganic phosphorus increased to a maximum around puberty and this may reflect increases in growth hormone activity. In fasted female rats cardiac glycogen also increased until puberty and in fed and fasted females the cardiac glycogen decreased after puberty. (Endocrinology 77: 409, 1965)
A functional genetic analysis in flour beetles (Tenebrionidae) reveals an antennal identity specification mechanism active during metamorphosis in Holometabola

The antenna was the first arthropod ventral appendage to evolve non-leg identity. Models of antennal evolution have been based on comparisons of antennal and leg identity specification mechanisms in Drosophila melanogaster, a species in which appendages develop from highly derived imaginal discs during the larval period. We test for conservation of the Drosophila antennal identity specification mechanism at metamorphosis in Tribolium castaneum and three other flour beetle species (Tribolium confusum, Tribolium brevicornis and Latheticus oryzae) in the family Tenebrionidae. In Drosophila, loss of function of four transcription factors-homothorax, extradenticle, Distal-less, and spineless-causes large-scale transformations of the antenna to leg identity. Distal-less and spineless function similarly during metamorphosis in T. castaneum. RNA interference (RNAi) targeting homothorax (hth) or extradenticle (exd) caused transformation of the proximal antenna to distal leg identity in flour beetles, but did not affect the identity of the distal antenna. This differs from the functional domain of these genes in early instar Drosophila, where they are required for identity specification throughout the antenna, but matches their functional domain in late instar Drosophila. The similarities between antennal identity specification at metamorphosis in flour beetles and in late larval Drosophila likely reflect the conservation of an ancestral metamorphic developmental mechanism. There were two notable differences in hth/exd loss of function phenotypes between flies and beetles. Flour beetles retained all of their primary segments in both the antenna and legs, whereas flies undergo reduction and fusion of primary segments. This difference in ground state appendage morphology casts doubt on interpretations of developmental ground states as evolutionary atavisms. Additionally, adult Tribolium eyes were transformed to elytron-like structures; we provide a developmental hypothesis for this evolutionarily surprising transformation.
Thermophillic and thermotolerant fungi isolated from the thermal effluent of nuclear power generating reactors: Dispersal of human opportunistic and veterinary pathogenic fungi

Over a period of a year, samples of water, foam, microbial mat, soil and air were obtained from areas associated with the cooling canal of a nuclear power station. The seventeen sample sites included water in the cooling canal that was thermally enriched and soil and water adjacent to, upstream, downstream and at a distance from the generator. Air samples were taken at the plant and at various disstances from the plant. Fifty-two species of thermotolerant and thermophilic fungi were isolated. Of these, eleven species are grouped as opportunistic Mucorales or opportunistic Aspergillus sp. One veterinary pathogen was also isolated (Dactylaria gallopava): The opportunistic/pathogenic fungi were found primarily in the intake bay, the discharge bay and the cooling canal. Smaller numbers were obtained at both upstream and downstream locations. Soil samples near the cooling canal reflected an enrichment of thermophilous organisms, the previously mentioned opportunistic Mucorales and Aspergillus spp. Their numbers were found to be greater than that usually encountered in a mesophilic environment. However, air and soil samples taken at various distances from the power station indicated no greater abundance of these thermophilous fungi than would be expected from a thermal enriched environment. Our results indicate that there was no significant dissemination of thermophilous fungi from the thermal enriched effluents to the adjacent environment. These findings are consistent with the results of other investigators.
Mixed anion lanthanide(III) crown ether complexes: crystal structures of [LaCl2(NO3)(12-crown-4)]2, [La(NO3)(OH2)4-(12-crown-4)]Cl2·CH3CN and [LaCl2(NO3)(18-crown-6)]

Reaction of LaCl3·7H2O containing small amounts of La(NO3)3·7H2O as an impurity with 12-crown-4 or 18-crown-6 in 3:1 CH3CN:CH3OH resulted in the isolation of the mixed anion complexes [LaCl2(NO3)(12-crown-4)]2, [La(NO3)(OH2)4(12-crown-4)]Cl2·CH3CN and [LaCl2(NO3)(18-crown-6)]. The nine-coordinate dimer, [LaCl2(NO3)(12-crown-4)]2, has all of the anions in the inner coordination sphere and La3+ has a capped square antiprismatic geometry. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with (at −150 °C) a = 12.938(6), b = 15.704(3), c = 13.962(2) A, and Dcalc = 2.08 g cm−3 for Z = 4. The second complex isolated from the same reaction, [La(NO3)(OH2)4(12-crown-4)]Cl2·CH3CN, has the bidentate nitrate anion in the inner coordination sphere but the two chloride anions are in a hydrogen bonded outer sphere. This complex is ten-coordinate 4A,6B-expanded dodecahedral and crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21 with (at 20 °C) a = 7.651(2), b = 11.704(7), c = 11.608(4) A, β = 95.11(2)°, and Dcalc = 1.80 g cm−3 for Z = 2. The 18-crown-6 complex, [LaCl2(NO3)(18-crown-6)], has all inner sphere anions and has ten-coordinate 4A,6B-expanded dodecahedral La3+ centers. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with (at 20 °C) a = 14.122(7), b = 13.563(5), c = 19.311(9) A, and Dcalc = 1.89 g cm−3 for Z = 8.
Conflict of interest and Campbellian validity

The conflicting interests of evaluators are biasing the findings of some evaluations and experiments, even technically rigorous studies. One improvement would be to emphasize evaluator and investigator conflict-of-interest threats in conceptions of validity. Such discussions could suggest ways to assess and avoid conflicts of interest. I explore the possibilities in one highly regarded framework, the Campbellian conception of experimental validity. However, all evaluations and experiments, whatever their methods, are vulnerable, and all conceptions of validity should address such threats. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
Theory of third-order spectroscopic methods to extract detailed molecular orientational dynamics for planar surfaces and other uniaxial systems.

Functionalized organic monolayers deposited on planar two-dimensional surfaces are important systems for studying ultrafast orientational motions and structures of interfacial molecules. Several studies have successfully observed the orientational relaxation of functionalized monolayers by fluorescence depolarization experiments and recently by polarization-resolved heterodyne detected vibrational transient grating (HDTG) experiments. In this article we provide a model-independent theory to extract orientational correlation functions unique to interfacial molecules and other uniaxial systems based on polarization-resolved resonant third-order spectroscopies, such as pump-probe spectroscopy, HDTG spectroscopy, and fluorescence depolarization experiment. It will be shown (in the small beam-crossing angle limit) that five measurements are necessary to completely characterize the monolayer's motions: I∥(t) and I⊥(t) with the incident beams normal to the surface, I∥(t) and I⊥(t) with a non-zero incident angle,...
Finite volume and asymptotic methods for stochastic neuron models with correlated inputs

We consider a pair of stochastic integrate and fire neurons receiving correlated stochastic inputs. The evolution of this system can be described by the corresponding Fokker–Planck equation with non-trivial boundary conditions resulting from the refractory period and firing threshold. We propose a finite volume method that is orders of magnitude faster than the Monte Carlo methods traditionally used to model such systems. The resulting numerical approximations are proved to be accurate, nonnegative and integrate to 1. We also approximate the transient evolution of the system using an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process, and use the result to examine the properties of the joint output of cell pairs. The results suggests that the joint output of a cell pair is most sensitive to changes in input variance, and less sensitive to changes in input mean and correlation.
Malthus's Essay on Population: the facts of "super-growth" and the rhetoric of scientific persuasion.

Although Malthus argued and the people of his time accepted that his theory was scientific this essay suggests that the facts he used to prove his points were distorted in several ways. Most of Malthus work the Essay on the Principle of Population is devoted to he proposition that human populations if unchecked will grow geometrically while food supplies can only grow arithmetially. The data cited to support geometric growth are flawed. His best example was the growth of the U.S. colonies although he did not even mention the contribution of immigration to growing colonies. The second example was the Tahitian islands after a local war: here evidence for only 5 deaths did not provide a decimated population to start geometric growth. A third example is the reputed tripling of the population of Easter Island between 1774-1786 with no comment on accuracy of the report. A fourth example is the data taken from Sussmilch on the German population after an epidemic. The source showed clearly that no data were available for the year of the plague but numbers of marriages and births were combined in the following year. This is the figure Malthus took to show the doubling of the birth rate after the pestilence. Later he wrote that the falsity of the data was unimportant since the point was already proven. Then there is confusion over the existence of vice and promiscuity which Malthus believed were factors that check population growth and the abswnce of poor laws which were believed to encourage growth in the countries of China and Sweden. It is likely that these discrepancies were not contested at the time because none of Malthus critics read each others work and the concept of empirical proof in economics was primitive despite the positivistic tradition. The idea had been proposed by Hume among others that abstract reasoning backed up by quantitative data of factual experiment was necessary to prove something scientifically. Malthus work was never empirically valid but it was timely and theoretically significant.
Rapid fractionation of human high density apolipoproteins by high performance liquid chromatography

A simple and rapid fractionation procedure (30 min) has been developed for the isolation of the major apoproteins from human serum high density lipoproteins by molecular sieving in a high performance liquid chromatographic column. Apo A-I, apoA-II and the C peptides are quantitatively resolved up to a protein load of 3 mg. The technique has also been successfully applied to the final purification of A apoproteins which has been isolated by conventional chromatographic procedures and as a sensitive analytical tool for assessing apoprotein purity.
Purification of ficin by affinity chromatography.

Abstract The sulfhydryl proteinase ficin (EC 3.4.4.12) was purified by chromatography on an agarose-mercurial column. Two separate protein fractions were eluted, ficin and mercurificin, both exhibiting enzymatic activity upon activation by excess thiol.
Cluster calculations of the interactions of μ+ with lattice defects in Li

Using the Hartree-Fock Roothaan scheme we have carried out molecular cluster calculations to study the interaction of positive muon with host metal atoms and intrinsic lattice defects in lithium. The total ground state energies of the clusters are calculated selfconsistently for various assumed impurity-host configurations. From the minimum in the total energy curve, we are able to determine the equilibrium lattice constant, the relaxation of first near neighbors around the impurity, the binding energy of the muon to a lattice trap and the activation energy for muon diffusion. Extension of the present method to treatμ +-defect complexes in other metallic hosts are discussed.
Fucosterol epoxide lyase of insects synthesis of labeled substrates and development of a partition assay

Abstract Fucosterol epoxide labeled with tritium in the C-29 methyl has been synthesized and employed in the development of a partition assay which allows the rapid determination of fucosterol epoxide lyase activity in vitro in homogenates of insect tissues. An independent synthesis of [24-14C]fucosterol epoxide provided a control substrate to evaluate nondealkylative transfer of labeled steroid to the aqueous layer during the enzyme assay. The diastereomeric 24R,28R- and 24S,28S-[29-3H]fucosterol epoxides were obtained via HPLC separation of their benzoate esters. Homogenates of the midgut tissue of larval tobacco hornworms (Manduca sexta) were examined at pH 5 to 9 in several buffer systems, and at temperatures of 7 to 67°C in phosphate buffer. Optimal activity was found using pH 7.4, 76 m m phosphate buffer at 37°C. The 24R,28R diastereomer of fucosterol epoxide was metabolized at a rate at least 100 times that of the 24S,28S isomer by this enzyme system.
Stochastic Analysis of the Weber Problem on the Sphere

In this paper we deal with the location of one facility on the surface of the sphere (globe) that minimizes the weighted sum of distances to a given set of demand points on the surface of the sphere. We assume that demand points are randomly generated on the sphere, and so are the weights. We prove that when the number of demand points increases to infinity, then the ratio between the maximum possible value of the objective function and the minimum possible value of the objective function converges to one. We also show that the expected number of demand points that are a local minimum is approximately one when there are a large number of demand points. Some computational experiments are presented.
Accurate determination of end-tidal carbon dioxide during administration of oxygen by nasal cannulae

Measurement of end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (PetCO2) by mass spectrometry or infrared capnometry provides a clinically useful approximation of arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) in intubated patients. Although several devices have been proposed to samplePetCO2 during spontaneous breathing (i.e., unintubated patients receiving supplemental oxygen), thus far no reports have documented their efficacy. This article reports the use of an easily constructed modification of simple nasal cannulae that permits accurate sampling ofPetCO2 during oxygen administration to unintubated patients. After amputation of the closed tip, a cap from a syringe was inserted via a slit made at the base into one prong of a pair of nasal cannulae. A capnometer was connected to the syringe cap, andPetCO2 and PaCO2 were determined simultaneously during the administration of 3 L/min oxygen via nasal cannulae to 21 normocapnic patients. The PaCO2 —PetCO2 gradients were calculated and compared with values obtained in the same patients after intubation and mechanical ventilation. No significant difference was found between the calculated gradients with nasal cannulae (2.09±2.18 mm Hg) versus intubation (2.87±2.82 mm Hg). Simultaneous oxygen administration and accurate sampling ofPetCO2 may be achieved in unintubated patients by using this easily constructed modification of nasal cannulae.
Peripheral doublet microtubules and wave generation in eukaryotic flagella

Abstract The shape and propagation of waves produced by eukaryotic flagella depend on the three-dimensional arrangement and physical-chemical properties of peripheral substructures. The modeling analysis presented here, which assumes force-moment equilibrium and neglects the viscous resistances of the medium, shows how substructural arrangements characteristic of 9+0, 9+1, and 9+2 axonemes can yield their characteristic wave patterns. When flexural stiffnesses are equal along all axonemal radii, any non-uniform doublet shearing pattern propagated distally at constant rate, with successive pairs 1 9 cycle out of phase, should generate helical waves. When stiffnesses differ greatly on different radii, but the stiffness pattern is the same for all cross-sections, any such shearing pattern should yield planar waves resembling sine-generated curves. Propagated axonemal bending results from the active bending moment produced by local shearing of doublet pairs. Uniformly twisting the doublets about the axonemal axis cannot directly alter the magnitude of the active bending moment. If dynein cross-bridges are activated by shear displacement between peripheral doublets, then the resulting distribution of the active bending moment will be appropriate for balancing the elastic moment in a propagated bending wave.
Impact of Holistic and Learning-Oriented Teaching on Academic Success

The influence of the preferred learning styles and psychological types on academic performance have been assessed for engineering students. The subjects of the experiments were different groups of students taking the first and the second courses in the civil engineering department. A holistic teaching/learning approach was designed based on the fact that people have different psychological characters and learn in different ways. During the course, many teaching/learning techniques were introduced to foster the learning process for different learning styles and psychological types. The study explores the implications of the learning styles and the psychological temperaments on the academic performance for experimental and control groups. The Learning Type Measure (LTM) and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) instruments were used to assess the psychological profiles and the learning preferences of the students. The paper will discuss the result of a comparison of the final grades of two groups of engineering students taught using two different instructional formats. As will be shown, the holistic teaching and learning environment helped those engineering students that are traditionally less successful.
Preservice Teachers' Application of a Problem-Solving Approach on Multimedia Cases

Abstract This study explored the use of case-based pedagogy to promote preservice teachers' problem-solving proficiency. Students in a web-supported course called CaseNEX learned to use a problem-solving approach when analyzing multimedia case studies. Their performance was compared with students in two groups who had no exposure to case methods—other preservice teachers and peers in arts and science programs. Five judges compared the problem-solving proficiency of 93 students at two institutions, through a rubric to rate written case analyses. Higher total scores and subscale scores indicated that preservice teachers in the treatment group learned the problem-solving approach and applied it in a way that distinguished their thinking from that of peers. This finding suggests that formal problem-solving methods can be taught using case-based pedagogy and that these methods should be taught if teacher educators wish to encourage the transfer of professional knowledge to preservice teachers in teacher traini...
Large-structure topology in a three-dimensional supersonic base flow

The near wake of a blunt-base cylinder at 10-deg angle of attack to a Mach 2.46 freestream flow is studied using Mie scattering flow visualization. Large-scale structures are clearly evident in side-view images of the windward and lateral parts of the shear layer but not in the leeward shear layer
An experimental test of potential host range in the ant parasitoid Apocephalus paraponerae.

Summary 1. The work reported here tested experimentally whether specialisation in Apocephalus paraponerae was due to physiological interactions that limit the parasitoid to the host ant Paraponera clavata. The suitability of other ant species as hosts was tested, and behavioural traits that may promote a high degree of specificity within this host–parasitoid system are discussed. 2. Data for development time, number of puparia, and adult eclosion success for A. paraponerae ovipositing in the regular host P. clavata are provided. A new method for testing host suitability in parasitoids of ants is described. Eggs of A. paraponerae were transferred directly into potential ant hosts. The development time, number of puparia, and adults eclosed for the eggs transferred into other ant host species are compared with comparable data from P. clavata. 3. Seven ant species within the Ponerinae are suitable for the development of A. paraponerae. The potential host range is greater than the actual host range of A. paraponerae. Flies are not limited solely by host suitability of related ant species for the development of larvae. Host location and acceptance behaviours are proposed as the primary reasons for host specialisation. The large size of the primary host P. clavata, and the ability of multiple females to raise many offspring successfully from those hosts may influence the specialisation of A. paraponerae on P. clavata.
Stability analysis of parallel server systems under longest queue first

We consider the stability of parallel server systems under the longest queue first (LQF) rule. We show that when the underlying graph of a parallel server system is a tree, the standard nominal traffic condition is sufficient for the stability of that system under LQF when interarrival and service times have general distributions. Then we consider a special parallel server system, which is known as the X-model, whose underlying graph is not a tree. We provide additional “drift” conditions for the stability and transience of these queueing systems with exponential interarrival and service times. Drift conditions depend in general on the stationary distribution of an induced Markov chain that is derived from the underlying queueing system. We illustrate our results with examples and simulation experiments. We also demonstrate that the stability of the LQF depends on the tie-breaking rule used and that it can be unstable even under arbitrary low loads.
Influence of leaves and roots on meristem development inNicotiana tabacum L. cv. Wisconsin 38

The terminal, apical shoot meristem ofN. tabacum cv. Wisconsin 38 normally differentiates into a flower after producing 30 to 40 nodes. The influence of leaves and roots on the regulation of flowering was evaluated by counting the number of nodes produced after removal of leaves or the induction of adventitious roots. Leaf removal has no effect on the number of nodes produced before flower formation. Root induction significantly increases the number of nodes produced before flower formation. The plant behaves as if it were measuring the number of nodes between the meristem and the roots as a means of regulating meristem conversion from vegetative to floral differentiation.
Fission-track ages of the Chagai Intrusives, Baluchistan, Pakistan

Fission-track ages were determined for the Chagai Intrusives of the Chagai District, northern Baluchistan, Pakistan. Zircon and apatite microcrystals were dated by the external detector method and yielded Oligocene and Miocene ages. On the basis of stratigraphic inference, these rocks previously had been believed to be Cretaceous to Paleocene. Although the younger fission-track ages may represent uplift ages associated with this terrane, field evidence strongly supports the interpretation that they represent ages of emplacement. Two phases of intrusive activity have taken place in the Chagai Hills: one about 35 m.y. ago and another about 20 m.y. ago. The composition of rocks of both phases ranges from granite to tonalite, and areas of hydrothermal mineralization are associated with both phases. Fission-track ages of the rocks west of the Chagai Hills, including the Saindak porphyry copper deposit, are about 12 m.y.
What a Difference a Crisis Makes NAFRA, Mexico, and the United States

Mexico's deep economic crisis, precipitated by the devaluation of the peso in December 1994, had a far-reaching impact. It sent the Mexican economy into a tailspin, unleashing extensive personal and corporate bankruptcies, a deterioration of real wages, unemployment, and malnutrition; it threatened the global financial system, stirring memories of the 1980s debt crisis and triggering financial panic as far south as Argentina (the so-called tequila effect); it altered the perception of economic health in Latin America as many began to glimpse failures in the neoliberal model of development (Naim, 1995); and, according to one observer, it even broke the long-established consensus between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the U.S. government (Ramirez, 1996: 29). Mexico's deep economic plunge also transformed the political climate in Mexico, stripping legitimacy from President Ernesto Zedillo while mobilizing opposition to both the long-ruling PRI and the neoliberal model it had championed since the mid-1980s. The crisis had important impacts on trade, immigration, investment, and the perceptions the citizens of both Mexico and the United States had of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and each other. Coming as it did in the first year of NAFTA, the crisis significantly altered the pattern of U.S.Mexican relations. With Jorge Castafeda (1995), Moises Naim (1995), Riordan Roett (1996), and others analyzing the economic and political consequences of the Mexican economic crisis, this article explores the impact of the crisis on NAFTA and U.S.-Mexican relations, with particular attention to its role in altering underlying opinions and perceptions. Included in this analysis is how NAFTA has weakened the ideological consensus in both countries and U.S. cultural hegemony in Mexico. The article is divided into three parts. The first
Directional flow of sensillum liquor in blowfly (Phormia regina) labellar chemoreceptors.

Abstract Utilizing horseradish peroxidase as a tracer protein, it is shown that trichogen and tormogen cells have a secretory function. Protein tracer from the haemolymph enters these cells by endocytosis and is transported to the sensillum liquor cavity by transport vacuoles and multivesicular bodies. It is also suggested that closely associated pigment cells may be involved in macromolecular transport.
Electrocardiographic Repolarization Abnormalities in Familial Dysautonomia: An Indicator of Autonomic Dysfunction. 112

Electrocardiographic Repolarization Abnormalities in Familial Dysautonomia: An Indicator of Autonomic Dysfunction. 112
Deposition and decomposition of periodical cicadas (Homoptera: Cicadidae: Magicicada) in woodland aquatic ecosystems

AbstractMany freshwater ecosystems receive allochthonous resource subsidies from adjacent terrestrial environments. In eastern North American forests, geographic broods of periodical cicadas emerge every 13 to 17 y to breed, and local abundances can sometimes be >300 individuals/m2. Most individuals avoid predation, senesce after breeding, and become a resource pulse for forest ecosystems; some cicada carcasses enter freshwater ecosystems where they represent a detrital resource pulse. Here, we present a 2-part study in which we examined the deposition of cicada detritus into woodland ponds and low-order streams in southwestern Ohio during the emergence of Brood X periodical cicadas. We compared the deposition of nutrients associated with periodical cicada detritus and terrestrial leaf litter into small woodland ponds and low-order streams. We used a laboratory experiment to compare patterns of decomposition and nutrient release of adult periodical cicada carcasses and sycamore leaf litter. Input of perio...
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for obesity: can it be considered a definitive procedure?

Background Providing bariatric surgery services to an inner-city population is a challenge. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an effective operation for morbid obesity with a relatively low complication rate. LSG appears to be a suitable alternative procedure for this group of patients.
Excellent stability of a lithium-ion-conducting solid electrolyte upon reversible Li(+) /H(+) exchange in aqueous solutions.

Batteries with an aqueous catholyte and a Li metal anode have attracted interest owing to their exceptional energy density and high charge/discharge rate. The long-term operation of such batteries requires that the solid electrolyte separator between the anode and aqueous solutions must be compatible with Li and stable over a wide pH range. Unfortunately, no such compound has yet been reported. In this study, an excellent stability in neutral and strongly basic solutions was observed when using the cubic Li7 La3 Zr2 O12 garnet as a Li-stable solid electrolyte. The material underwent a Li(+) /H(+) exchange in aqueous solutions. Nevertheless, its structure remained unchanged even under a high exchange rate of 63.6 %. When treated with a 2 M LiOH solution, the Li(+) /H(+) exchange was reversed without any structural change. These observations suggest that cubic Li7 La3 Zr2 O12 is a promising candidate for the separator in aqueous lithium batteries.
Impact of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram on insulin sensitivity, leptin and basal cortisol secretion in depressed and non-depressed euglycemic women of reproductive age

Introduction. Major depression in women of reproductive age may be accompanied by multiple endocrine and metabolic disturbances, which, in turn, may affect reproductive functioning. Enhanced cortisol synthesis, impaired leptin production and diminished insulin sensitivity have been reported in some depressed populations. We sought to determine whether an 8-week administration of citalopram would have an effect on these endocrine factors in a group of euglycemic depressed and non-depressed women of reproductive age.Materials and methods. Fourteen depressed and 18 non-depressed women (diagnosed by structured clinical interview) aged between 18 and 45 years completed an 8-week study. All depressed women were treated with citalopram and non-depressed subjects randomized to citalopram or no treatment in an open label cohort study. An oral glucose tolerance test with insulin levels was performed at baseline and at the end of the 8-week trial. Weight, blood pressure, fasting serum cortisol, fasting serum leptin ...
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Proteins: Can the Explicit Water Model Be Varied?

In molecular mechanics simulations of biological systems, the solvation water is typically represented by a default water model which is an integral part of the force field. Indeed, protein nonbonding parameters are chosen in order to obtain a balance between water−water and protein−water interactions and hence a reliable description of protein solvation. However, less attention has been paid to the question of whether the water model provides a reliable description of the water properties under the chosen simulation conditions, for which more accurate water models often exist. Here we consider the case of the CHARMM protein force field, which was parametrized for use with a modified TIP3P model. Using quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical calculations, we investigate whether the CHARMM force field can be used with other water models: TIP4P and TIP5P. Solvation properties of N-methylacetamide (NMA), other small solute molecules, and a small protein are examined. The results indicate differences in ...
Physicochemical properties of 1,2,3-triazolium ionic liquids

Ionic liquids composed of four different 1,2,3-triazolium cations with tosylate or triflate counter anions have been synthesized and characterized. Physicochemical properties of these ionic liquids including ion cluster behavior, thermal properties, electrochemical stability and ionic conductivity were determined and compared to corresponding imidazolium based ionic liquids. The impact of structure variations, in terms of substituents on the ring of the 1,2,3-triazolium cation and identity of the anion (i.e. tosylate versus triflate) is discussed. Stability of the 1,2,3-triazolium salts towards hydroxide ion at 80 °C was studied. Key features of 1,2,3-triazolium salts are their high electrochemical stability and ionic conductivity, comparable to imidazolium ionic liquids, but better chemical stability under alkaline conditions.
Isometric and Dynamic Contractile Properties of Porcine Skinned Cardiac Myocytes After Stunning

The purpose of this study was to investigate myofibrillar mechanisms of depressed contractile function associated with myocardial stunning. We first tested whether the degree of stunning was directly related to changes in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. Variable degrees and durations of low-flow ischemia were followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion in an open-chest porcine model of regional myocardial stunning (n = 27). Ca2+ sensitivity of isometric tension was measured in skinned myocytes obtained from endocardial biopsies taken during control aerobic flow and after 30 minutes of reperfusion. The degree of stunning, as assessed by percent systolic wall thickening, ranged from -3% to 75% of control but did not correlate (r = .11) with changes in pCa50, ie, pCa for half-maximal tension. Only in the group (n = 10) with the most severe level of ischemia was there a significant decrease in pCa50 (from 5.97 +/- 0.06 in the control condition to 5.86 +/- 0.07 after ischemia, P < .05). Less severe levels of ischemia (n = 17) resulted in significant stunning (percent systolic wall thickening, 38 +/- 4% of control) but no change in pCa50. To investigate the possibility that alterations in myofibrillar cross-bridge kinetics contribute to depressed function in stunning, maximum velocity of shortening (Vo) was measured in postischemic myocytes. Vo in postischemic myocytes was reduced to 56 +/- 4% of Vo in control myocytes and was independent both of the degree of stunning (r = .26) and changes in Ca2+ sensitivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Soil temperature error propagation in passive microwave retrieval of soil moisture

In the near future two dedicated soil moisture satellites will be launched (SMOS and SMAP), both carrying an L-band radiometer. It is well known that microwave soil moisture retrieval algorithms must account for the physical temperature of the emitting surface. One proposed approach is the use of temperature output from numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. A radiative transfer model, as implemented in the most commonly used soil moisture retrieval algorithms, will be used to assess sensitivity to errors in the estimated surface temperature. It is shown that soil temperature errors will likely limit the vegetation range within which soil moisture can be retrieved with an accuracy of 0.04 m3m−3. These results should contribute to improved algorithm design and implementation for the new L-band satellite missions.
Investigation and Discussion of Characteristics for Intermetallic Phases Common to Aluminum Alloys as a Function of Solution pH

This paper presents results for corrosion potentials, pitting potentials, and electrochemical characteristics for intermetallic particles commonly present in high strength aluminum-based alloys, for tests conducted in a 0.1 M NaCl solution of varying pH via the use of a microcapillary electrochemical cell. The intermetallics investigated were Mg2Si, MgZn2 ,A l7Cu2Fe, Al2Cu, Al2CuMg, and Al3Fe. Elaboration of the results reveals that the electrochemical behavior of such compounds varies markedly with pH, with attendant ramifications for localized corrosion and protection in Al alloys. Examples of this are shown for AA7075-T651, where it is shown that the localized corrosion morphology is drastically different upon the bulk alloy depending on the pH of the test environment. A stochastic pitting is observed at an acid pH, near-neutral conditions result in a deterministic-type pitting, and a general corrosion is observed at an alkaline pH.
Protective Immunization against Inhalational Anthrax: A Comparison of Minimally Invasive Delivery Platforms

A new anthrax vaccine under clinical investigation is based on recombinant Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (rPA). Here, we investigated microneedle-based cutaneous and nasal mucosal delivery of rPA in mice and rabbits. In mice, intradermal (id) delivery achieved up to 90% seroconversion after a single dose, compared with 20% after intramuscular (im) injection. Intranasal (inl) delivery of a liquid formulation required 3 doses to achieve responses that were comparable with those achieved via the id or im routes. In rabbits, id delivery provided complete protection against aerosol challenge with anthrax spores; in addition, novel powder formulations administered inl provided complete protection, whereas a liquid formulation provided only partial protection. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that cutaneous or nasal mucosal administration of rPA provides complete protection against inhalational anthrax in rabbits. The novel vaccine/device combinations described here have the potential to improve the efficacy of rPA and other biodefense vaccines.
Oral and vaginal epithelial cell anti-Candida activity is acid labile and does not require live epithelial cells.

Background: Candida albicans is the causative agent of oral and vaginal candidiasis. Innate host defenses against C. albicans are important against each infection. Among these are oral and vaginal epithelial cells that have anti-Candida activity. The mechanism of action includes a requirement for cell contact with no role for soluble factors, and a putative role for carbohydrates based on the sensitivity of the activity to periodic acid. Methods: Periodic acid treatment of epithelial cells as well as the property of partial resistance of antifungal activity to fixation was used to further dissect the mechanism of action. Results: The results herein effectively now challenge a role for carbohydrates alone. Firstly, the putative carbohydrate(s) released into supernatants of periodic acid-treated epithelial cells could not compete with fresh epithelial cells for activity, and equivalent abrogation of activity was observed by periodic acid-treated cells irrespective of the amount of carbohydrate released. Instead, the similar abrogation of activity following treatment with other acids or when cocultured under acidic conditions suggests that the activity is acid-labile. Finally, while activity requires intact epithelial cells, it does not require live cells; activity was minimally affected by fixing epithelial cells prior to coculture where the majority of cells remained impermeable to Trypan blue but were defined as non–viable by positive nuclear staining with propidium iodide. Conclusion: These results suggest that antifungal activity is dependent on contact by intact, but not necessarily live, epithelial cells through an acid-labile mechanism.
Ultrasound-induced hyperthermia for the treatment of human superficial tumors

Ultrasonic systems were developed for the treatment of superficial human tumors, generating local tumor hyperthermia at tumor center temperatures ranging from 43 degrees to 50 degrees. Twenty-eight patients with disease of varying histology were evaluable for response, and demonstrated an overall response rate of 57% with a complete response rate of 18%. In 11 patients who had received definitive radiation therapy to the heat treated area, the response rate was 81%; there were no toxicities other than those noted for the overall study. As temperature was escalated a marked increase was observed both in response rates (from 53% (43-44 degrees C) to 83% (48-50 degrees C) and in duration of response (from 29 to 250 days for the same temperatures). Toxicities were minimal, consisting of superficial blistering in four patients and pain in six patients. Pain was usually associated with tumor involvement in the periostium.
Object shape recognition with artificial whiskers using tomographic reconstruction

Existing techniques utilizing bio-inspired robotic whisker sensory systems generally address object feature extraction with artificial whiskers as a mechanical problem. We present an alternative signal-processing approach that formulates the object shape recognition as a 2-D tactile imaging problem. Observing that the whisker position at the very initial contact is similar to a ‘ray path’ in X-ray computed tomography; the 2-D cross-sectional image of the object can be tomographically reconstructed by measuring only the angle at the whisker base and the whisker-base location at the initial contact for each viewing angle. This approach has the important practical advantage of eliminating the need for the calibration of the force/moment measurements. Experimental results demonstrate the promising potential for bio-inspired systems using arrays of vibrissal sensors for object shape recognition.
Microfluidic device reads up to four consecutive base pairs in DNA sequencing‐by‐synthesis

We have developed the first fully integrated microfluidic system for DNA sequencing-by-synthesis. Using this chip and fluorescence detection, we have reliably sequenced up to 4 consecutive bps. The described sequencer can be integrated with other microfluidic components on the same chip to produce true lab-on-a-chip technology. The surface chemistry that was designed to anchor the DNA to elastomeric microchannels is useful in a broad range of studies and applications.
Floorplanning with alignment and performance constraints

In this paper, we present a floorplanning algorithm based on sequence pair representation. Our floorplanner has the following important features: (1) It is explicitly designed for fixed-frame floorplanning, which is different from traditional well-researched min-area floorplanning. Moreover, we also show that it can be adapted to minimize total area. (2) It addresses the problem of handling alignment constraint which arises in bus structure. (3) It deals with performance constraint such as bounded net delay, while many existing floorplanners just minimize total wire length. (4) More importantly, even with all these constraints the algorithm is very fast in that it evaluates the feasibility of a sequence pair and translates to a floorplan in O(n log log n) time typically where n is the number of blocks and the number of constrained blocks is O(n), which is significantly faster than the O(n/sup 3/) method operating on constraint graph. Our algorithm is based on computing the longest common subsequence of a pair of weighted sequences. Experimental results on MCNC benchmark for block placement show the promise of the method.
Inflammatory mediators promote production of shed LRP1/CD91, which regulates cell signaling and cytokine expression by macrophages

LRP1 is a type-1 transmembrane receptor that mediates the endocytosis of diverse ligands. LRP1 β-chain proteolysis results in release of sLRP1 that is present in human plasma. In this study, we show that LPS and IFN-γ induce shedding of LRP1 from RAW 264.7 cells and BMMs in vitro. ADAM17 was principally responsible for the increase in LRP1 shedding. sLRP1 was also increased in vivo in mouse plasma following injection of LPS and in plasma from human patients with RA or SLE. sLRP1, which was purified from human plasma, and full-length LRP1, purified from mouse liver, activated cell signaling when added to cultures of RAW 264.7 cells and BMMs. Robust activation of p38 MAPK and JNK was observed. The IKK-NF-κB pathway was transiently activated. Proteins that bind to the ligand-binding clusters in LRP1 failed to inhibit sLRP1-initiated cell signaling, however an antibody that targets the sLRP1 N terminus was effective. sLRP1 induced expression of regulatory cytokines by RAW 264.7 cells, including TNF-α, MCP-1/CCL2, and IL-10. These results demonstrate that sLRP1 is generated in inflammation and may regulate inflammation by its effects on macrophage physiology.