cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Entanglement and the topology of tensor nets (Conference Presentation)

This talk will explain the structure of Khovanov homology for knots and links and will present a quantum algorithm for its computation that is based on the use of combinatorial Hodge theory. By using combinatorial Hodge theory we can formulate the problem of computing the homology in terms of the determination of the dimension of the eigenvalue one subspace of a unitary operator that is associated with the boundary and coboundary operators of the Khovanov complex. We then use the quantum phase estimation algorithm to find the dimension of this subspace. This is a first foray into the problems of producing a quantum algorithm for the significant knot and link invariant Khovanov homology. There are other deeper problems related to the structure of the chain complex and we shall discuss these difficulties. This paper represents joint work with Sam Lomonaco and Nadya Shirakova.
ANSI/ASSP Z9.14-2020 Testing and Performance-Verification Methodologies for Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) and Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL-3) Ventilation Systems:

The American National Standards Institute has approved the revised standard ANSI/ASSP Z9.14-2020, “Testing and Performance-Verification Methodologies for Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) and Animal Biosaf...
Research on Key Parameters Evaluation of UHF Partial Discharge Detector

UHF partial discharge is an important means of partial discharge fault detection in power system. However, the quality of ultra-high frequency PD detector produce by equipment manufacturers is uneven and the performance evaluation method is lacking. Thus, an evaluation method of key parameters of UHF partial discharge tester based on Gigahertz transverse electromagnetic wave (GTEM) cell is proposed. In addition, two methods of measuring the equivalent height of UHF sensor are simulated and analyzed. On the basis of the theoretical study, the effective height parameters of the measured PD sensors at different angles are experimentally analyzed, and the experimental results of the key parameters of manufacturers 1 and 2 are compared. The validity of the method is verified.
494-P: Effects of a Novel Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor, TMX-049, on Urinary Albumin Excretion in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Albuminuria

Background: TMX-049 is a novel xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor that reduced both liver and kidney XO activity and decreased albuminuria in a type 2 diabetes (T2D) rat model. This 12-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03449199) was designed to assess effects of TMX-049 40 or 200 mg (T40 or T200) compared to placebo (P) on urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) in participants with T2D and albuminuria despite treatment with an angiotensin inhibitor. Methods: Eligible participants had T2D, HbA1c ≤ 11%, UACR 200-3000 mg/g, CKD-EPI eGFR ≥ 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 and serum uric acid (sUA) 4-10 mg/dL and were randomized to P (n=42), T40 (n=44) or T200 (n=44). The primary efficacy analysis utilized change from Baseline to Week 12 (or the last observation) in log-transformed UACR in an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model. Results: Reductions in UACR from Baseline to Week 12 were P: 9%, T40: 14%, T200: 41%; the difference in change was statistically significant vs. P in the T200 group (p=0.031) but not in the T40 group (p=0.795). The reduction with T200 relative to P was 35% (95% CI: 4-56%). Mean changes in sUA were T40: -2.4 mg/dL and T200: -3.2 mg/dL (p Conclusions: Once daily dosing of T40 or T200 was well tolerated in this 12-week study of participants with T2D and albuminuria. Although both doses reduced sUA, albuminuria reduction was only observed with T200. Reduced DKD progression may be achievable with TMX-049, a dual hepatic and renal XO inhibitor. Disclosure G. Bakris: Consultant; Self; Alnylam, Merck & Co., Inc., Relypsa, Inc., Teijin Pharma Limited. Other Relationship; Self; Bayer AG, Novo Nordisk Inc., Vascular Dynamics. H. Mikami: Employee; Self; Teijin Pharma Limited. M. Hirata: Employee; Self; Teijin Pharma Limited. M. Cressman: Employee; Self; Covance, LabCorp. Funding Teijin America, Inc.
Payment of COVID-19 challenge trials: underpayment is a bigger worry than overpayment.

One way to test vaccines is through human challenge trials in which participants are intentionally infected with a contagious organism to expedite the process of assessing the vaccine’s effectiveness. Some experts believe challenge trials may play an important role in fighting COVID-19, especially if the vaccines under current study do not demonstrate sufficient efficacy, if spread of COVID-19 is controlled to a point that radically slows down traditional trials, or if new vaccines need to be rapidly developed for specific subpopulations.1 Challenge trials involve significant time, burden and risk, requiring participants to spend 3–6 weeks in legal quarantine for 24 hours a day in a high-security facility. During this time, no inperson visitors will be allowed, except for very limited inperson contact from researchers collecting necessary data and checks. Following the quarantine period, participants will be asked to attend numerous outpatient follow-up visits over the course of months, to further monitor their response to the vaccine. Participation involves being away from family who may themselves become sick during the global pandemic, as well as potential fear and mental anguish around being a ‘first’ subject. Because there is no definitive treatment for COVID-19, participants could experience serious illness. But even with milder illness, medical experts know very little about the long-term consequences of COVID-19 infection. This raises the question of how much people should be paid for their participation in COVID-19 challenge trials. Most think participants should be paid something, but many contend that we should be …
Intravenous sulforhodamine B reduces alveolar surface tension, improves oxygenation and reduces ventilation injury in a respiratory distress model.

Sulforhodmaine B lowers T in alveolar edema liquid. Given the problematic intratracheal delivery of surfactant therapy for ARDS, intravenous SRB might constitute an alternative therapeutic. In a lu...
A comparison of three DFT exchange-correlation functionals and two basis sets for the prediction of the conformation distribution of hydrated polyglycine.

The performance of three density functional theory (DFT) exchange–correlation functionals, namely, Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE), BP86, and B3LYP, in predicting conformational distributions of a hydrated glycine peptide is tested with two different basis sets in the framework of adaptive force matching (AFM). The conformational distributions yielded the free energy profiles of the DFT functional and basis set combinations. Unlike traditional validations of potential energy and structural parameters, our approach allows the free energy of DFT to be validated. When compared to experimental distributions, the def2-TZVP basis set provides better agreement than a slightly trimmed aug-cc-pVDZ basis set. B3LYP is shown to be better than BP86 and PBE. The glycine model fitted against B3LYP-D3(BJ) with the def2-TZVP basis set is the most accurate and named the AFM2021 model for glycine. The AFM2021 glycine model provides better agreement with experimental J-coupling constants than C36m and ff14SB, although the margin is very small when compared to C36m. Our previously published alanine model is also refitted with the slightly simplified AFM2021 energy expression. This work shows good promise of AFM for developing force fields for a range of proteinogenic peptides using only DFT as reference.
Gadd45b Mediates Electroconvulsive Shock Induced Proliferation of Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells

Abstract Background Electroconvulsive shock (ECS), also known as an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), is an effective and safe treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders including pharmacoresistant major depressive disorder. Previous research in animal models suggests ECS efficacy is achieved by Gadd45b-mediated increases in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Objective/hypothesis The present study aims to delineate the role of Gadd45b in mediating proliferation of neural stem cell types including quiescent radial glia-like (RGL) and amplifying non-radial glia-like (non-RGL) neural precursors following ECS. Methods RGL and non-RGL neural stem cell populations defined by co-localization of MCM2 + and nestin + cells and morphologically by the presence of radial processes were stereologically analyzed. Results ECS increased hippocampal density of both quiescent RGLs and amplifying non-RGLs. Conclusions Gadd45b mediates the action of ECS-induced proliferation through activation of quiescent neural stem cells.
Robust Stability Margins of a Pitch-Plunge System

Robust aeroelastic and aeroservoelastic stability analysis is performed on a low-order system to demonstrate the procedure of applying the μ method. Experimental testing of this system differs from flight flutter testing in that the airspeed, not the dynamic pressure, is increased until an instability is encountered; however, the system can still be parameterized around dynamic pressure and associated stability margins computed as though the system represented an aircraft. Such an example is quite instructive because the equations of motion can be easily written so the derivation to formulate the model in the μ framework can be explicitly shown.
Trimming and Winsorization

Frequently, a sample may contain observations that differ substantially from the other data values. There are various ways to deal with the possibility of such values so that the resulting analysis will not be adversely affected if they are present. All of these methods assign weights to observations according to some well-conceived algorithm. In this article we concentrate on two forms of assigning weights to observations. The first is trimming, which corresponds to assigning zero weight to a prespecified fraction of the extreme observations and equal weights to the rest. The second is Winsorizing, which also assign zero weights to the extreme observations, as in trimming, but assigns extra weight to the most extreme observations in the retained sample. In this article we will define these concepts for a single sample of observations, and briefly discuss the applications to more complex problems like regression.
Declarative Semantics for Contradictory Modular Logic Programs

A complex reasoning system can be designed as an interaction between reasoning modules. A module consists of a declaration of exported/imported predicates and a set of rules containing both negation by default and classical negation. A prioritized modular logic program (PMP) consists of a set of modules and a partial order <def on the predicate definitions (M, p), where M is a module and p is a predicate exported by M. Because of the classical negation, conflicts may arise within and among modules. The partial order <def denotes the relative reliability of the predicate definitions contributing to the conflict. We present the reliable semantics for PMPs. The goal of the reliable semantics is to draw reliable conclusions from possibly contradictory PMPs.
Partitioned cache shadowing for deep sub-micron (DSM) regime

An important issue in modern cache designs is bridging the gap between wire and device delays. This warrants the use of more regular and modular structures to mask wire latencies. This paper advances the basic concepts of shadow caching to offer protection against both data corruption and micro-network disruption in partitioned architectures. Network disruption is tolerated by sending shadow packet along a different route than the original packet, whereas the data corruption problem is addressed by reserving a small portion of the overall cache capacity for in-cache shadow space. Our results show that an average of 96% in data error coverage for Spec2K benchmarks can be achieved and more than 99% of the transient faults on the underlying switched micro-network can also be protected while incurring less than 3% performance degradation in most of the above benchmarks.
Generalized commutative rings

Among his various interests in algebra Nakayama also took part in the various researches, published in the early and middle 1950’s, which dealt with the commutativity of rings. This paper, which studies a problem of a related sort, thus seems appropriate in a Journal honoring his memory. We shall study a certain class of rings which satisfy a weak form of the commutative law and shall show that the structure of such rings can be determined.
Taste and Olfaction: Sensory Discrimination

The sections in this article are: 1 Psychophysical Methodology in the Chemical Senses 1.1 Nature of Stimulus 1.2 Nature of Taste Qualities 1.3 Nature of Olfactory Qualities 1.4 Methods of Stimulation 1.5 Detecting Chemical Stimuli 1.6 Magnitude of Sensation 1.7 Responses to Mixtures of Chemical Stimuli 2 Effects of Stimulus Parameters 2.1 Taste 2.2 Olfaction 3 Adaptation 3.1 Adaptation: Taste 3.2 Adaptation: Olfaction 4 Odor Memory 5 Hedonics 5.1 Diet Selection 6 Effects of Aging
Evidence on Motivations for Downward Earnings Management

We analyze a set of firms that restated earnings upward because of accounting irregularities and thus presumably had managed earnings downward. Our results are consistent with the restatement sample firms having managed earnings downward in their original financial statements to create cookie jar reserves, to depress share prices prior to corporate and insider stock purchases, and to minimize political costs. There is no evidence these firms managed earnings downward to reduce income taxes, which is consistent with tax-motivated downward earnings management being accomplished via real transactions that typically do not give rise to accounting irregularities. We estimate that taxable firms (i.e., profitable restatement sample firms without NOL carryforwards) left an average of 23 cents per dollar of pre-tax earnings management on the table by engaging in book-tax nonconforming downward earnings management. The forgone tax savings represent a lower bound on the incremental costs associated with real transactions management.
Evidence that the transcriptional regulators SIN3 and RPD3, and a novel gene (SDS3) with similar functions, are involved in transcriptional silencing in S. cerevisiae.

In a screen for extragenic suppressors of a silencing defective rap1 s hmr Δ A strain, recessive mutations in 21 different genes were found that restored repression to HMR . We describe the characterization of three of these SDS (suppressors of defective silencing) genes. SDS16 and SDS6 are known transcriptional modifiers, SIN3(RPD1/UME4/SDI1/GAM2) and RPD3(SD12) , respectively, while the third is a novel gene, SDS3 . SDS3 shares the meiotic functions of SIN3 and RPD3 in that it represses IME2 in haploid cells and is necessary for sporulation in diploid cells. However, sds3 mutations differ from sin3 and rpd3 mutations in that they do not derepress TRK2 . These sds mutations suppress a variety of cis - and trans -defects, which impair the establishment of silencing at HMR . Any one of the sds mutations slightly increases telomere position effect while a striking synergistic increase in repression is observed in a rap1 s background. Epistasis studies suggest that SDS3 works in a different pathway from RPD3 and SIN3 to affect silencing at HMR . Together these results show that defects in certain general transcriptional modifiers can have a pronounced influence on position-effect gene silencing in yeast. Mechanisms for this increase in postion effect are discussed.
Melanoma arising in association with blue nevus: a clinical and pathologic study of 24 cases and comprehensive review of the literature.

Melanoma arising in association with blue nevus: a clinical and pathologic study of 24 cases and comprehensive review of the literature
Effect of drinking pattern on plasma lipoproteins and body weight.

Abstract The effect of drinking pattern on plasma lipoproteins and body weight was examined in three groups of squirrel monkeys: (1) controls fed isocaloric liquid diet; (2) regular drinkers given liquid diet containing ethanol (EtOH) substituted isocalorically for carbohydrate at 12% of calories daily; and (3) binge drinkers fed 6% EtOH calories daily for a four-day period followed by three days of 20% EtOH to mimic a weekend bout drinking cycle. The number of calories offered per day was the same for all groups, and the average weekly EtOH consumption (12% calories) was identical for the two alcohol treatments. The entire study lasted six months. There were no significant differences in plasma cholesterol, triglyceride or liver function tests. Regular drinkers had the highest high density lipoprotein 2 /high density lipoprotein 3 (HDL2HDL3) protein and apolipoprotein A-IB ratios of any group and exhibited a significant elevation in the molar plasma lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) rate (nmol/min/ml). Binge drinking produced a selective increase in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, and a depression in the fractional LCAT rate (% esterified/min). During the course of the study, controls ate 92% of their diet while the alcohol groups each consumed 95% of the liquid diet. Despite this difference, body weight and Quetelet index (weight/height 2 )decreased progressively in the order controls > regular drinkers > binge drinkers. Results from our study indicate that moderate, regular daily consumption of EtOH at 12% of calories causes a modest reduction in body weight and produces a coronary protective lipoprotein profile (↑HDL2HDL3, T apolipoprotein A-IB, low LDL cholesterol). By contrast, when this same average weekly dose is concentrated in a binge cycle, unfavorable alterations in lipoprotein composition (↑ LDL cholesterol, ↑ apolipoprotein B) and metabolism (↑ LCAT activity) occur along with weight loss and depletion of body fat. These studies point to the value of the squirrel monkey model in evaluating both favorable and pathophysiological effects of chronic EtOH intake.
A Permanent Approach to the Traveling Salesman Problem

A randomized polynomial time algorithm is presented which, for every simple, connected, $k$-regular graph on $n$ vertices, finds a tour that visits every vertex and has length at most $\left(1+\sqrt{\nfrac{64}{\ln k}} \right) n$ with high probability. The proof follows simply from results developed in the context of permanents, Egorychev's and Falikman's theorem which lower bounds the permanent of a doubly stochastic matrix and the polynomial time algorithm of Jerrum, Sinclair and Vigoda which samples a near-random, perfect matching from a bipartite graph. The techniques in this paper suggest new permanent-based approaches for TSP which could be useful in attacking other interesting cases of TSP.
Time series sampling and data assimilation in a simple marine ecosystem model

Abstract Simulated distributions of nutrients, phytoplankton and zooplankton were obtained from a simple marine ecosystem model that included nutrient inputs from episodic events. These distributions were then used in numerical identical twin experiments to test the ability of an adjoint data assimilation method to recover rate parameters, such as population growth and death rates, component initial conditions, and the amplitude of episodic events. Data were assimilated into the marine ecosystem model at monthly, bi-weekly and weekly intervals over a period of about 2 months. The ability to recover rate parameters and component initial conditions was determined primarily by the frequency and type of data that were assimilated. Assimilation of data at monthly intervals proved to be adequate for recovery of most of the rate parameters and some of the initial conditions. Bi-weekly data yielded better recoveries; however, increasing the data availability to weekly intervals did not significantly improve the results relative to the bi-weekly cases. The ability to recover biological rates with only monthly data suggests that these are fundamental aspects of marine ecosystems and can be resolved with only a few measurements. The availability of zooplankton information, even at a reduced frequency relative to phytoplankton or nutrient information, improved the ability to recover rate parameters with data more widely spaced in time. Recovery of component initial conditions was related to the timescales of the biological processes; faster processes required more frequent data. The recovery of the amplitude of the episodic events was related to the timing of the sampling relative to the event, rather than to the frequency at which data were available. The number of iterations needed for convergence when using data assimilation with the marine ecosystem model was dependent not only on the frequency and type of the input data series, but also on the structure of the marine ecosystem model. These results have implications for designing sampling strategies for measurement programs, such as the U.S. Joint Global Ocean Flux Study Hawaii Ocean Time-series and Bermuda Atlantic Time-series sites, so that these multidisciplinary data sets can be used with data-assimilative marine ecosystem models.
Modulation of ACh turnover in the septal-hippocampal pathway by electrical stimulation and lesioning.

Summary The septal-hippocampal cholinergic pathway of the rat was either electrically stimulated or lesioned in order to study whether or not acetylcholine turnover rate (TR ACh ) changes with the activity of the cholinergic neurons. Appropriate electrical stimulation of the septum selectively increased the TR ACh in the hippocampus in non-anesthetized and in barbiturate-treated animals. The ACh content of the hippocampus increased by approximately 30% 1 h after fimbria lesions, but decreased by about 80% 9 days after fimbria lesions. Acute fimbria lesions decreased the TR ACh in the lesioned side by approximately 85%, but the TR ACh in the intact side and in the cortex was unchanged. The same was true in rats with chronic fimbria lesions. In conclusion, the hippocampal TR ACh increases or decreases proportionally to the activity of the cholinergic neurons; therefore the measurement of this parameter is of particular value in understanding how postsynaptic cholinergic neurons are modulated by putative neuro-transmitter released from afferent nerve terminals.
Low-energy theorems fore 4 Compton scattering

We have studied thee 4 Compton scattering on targets with arbitrary spin and generalized the low-energy theorems of Cheng, Roy and Singh to higher order in photon energy ω. It is shown that the scattering amplitude has a term ω3 ω whose coefficient is determined entirely by the charge and magnetic moment of the target. In order to derive our theorem, we have evaluated explicitly the Born contribution to the second-order (in ω) terms of thee 2 Compton scattering amplitudes
Attitude and Behavior in (Classic) Social Psychology and Rabbinic Thought: Implications for Psychology of Religion Research

Certainly attitudes influence behavior; however, less intuitively obvious is the empirical literature revealing that external behavior affects internal attitudes sometimes even more powerfully. This article explores the parallel literatures about the relationship between attitude and behavior in social psychology and the rabbinic tradition. Judaism, characterized by orthopraxy, has considerably more emphasis on legislated behavior than belief, doctrine, or attitude. Moreover, rabbinic text is replete with observations that complement the empirical demonstrations of social psychology. These relate to the causal influence of behavior on attitude, behavioral factors leading to internalization or externalization, and the relationship between effort and satisfaction.
Protective effect of mono- and disaccharides on glutamate-induced brain damage in mice

Abstract The effect of materials administered simultaneously with monosodium l -glutamate (MSG) was studied in 10-day-old mice to assess the histological brain lesion. By gavage, sodium chloride did not promote glutamate-induced brain damage, while the mono- and disaccharides glucose, fructose, galactose, sucrose and lactose significantly reduced the number of necrotic neurons in the arcuate nucleus (AN) of the hypothalamus.
The utility of behavioral models and modules in molecular analyses of social behavior.

It is extremely difficult to trace the causal pathway relating gene products or molecular pathways to the expression of behavior. This is especially true for social behavior, which being dependent on interactions and communication between individuals is even further removed from molecular-level events. In this review, we discuss how behavioral models can aid molecular analyses of social behavior. Various models of behavior exist, each of which suggest strategies to dissect complex behavior into simpler behavioral ‘modules.’ The resulting modules are easier to relate to neural processes and thus suggest hypotheses for neural and molecular function. Here we discuss how three different models of behavior have facilitated understanding the molecular bases of aspects of social behavior. We discuss the response threshold model and two different approaches to modeling motivation, the state space model and models of reinforcement and reward processing. The examples we have chosen illustrate how models can generate testable hypotheses for neural and molecular function and also how molecular analyses probe the validity of a model of behavior. We do not champion one model over another; rather, our examples illustrate how modeling and molecular analyses can be synergistic in exploring the molecular bases of social behavior.
Real-time small molecule binding detection using a label-free photonic crystal biosensor

We have demonstrated real-time, label-free detection of small molecule binding using a novel optical biosensor. This sensor is a recently developed sensing platform incorporating a one-dimensional photonic crystal (PC) structure in a total-internal-reflection (TIR) geometry (PC-TIR). This simple configuration functions as an open Fabry-Perot resonator which provides a narrow optical resonance to enable label-free, highly sensitive detection of analyte molecules on the sensing surface in the enhanced evanescent field. Moreover, when the differential intensity modulation during binding is measured, a very high detection sensitivity can be obtained, and real-time binding observed. The well-studied biotinstreptavidin system was chosen to calibrate the detection limit for small molecule detection. Effective surface functionalization methods for streptavidin immobilization on the silica sensing surface were investigated, and analyte biotin molecules specifically binding to the sensing surface were monitored in real time. The binding of the smallest molecule D-Biotin, with a molecular weight of 244 Da, was easily experimentally observed with a high signal to noise ratio, which shows that the PC-TIR sensor has great potential to be a high-sensitivity and high-throughput sensing technology for small molecule binding analysis.
N-Succinimidyl 3-[131I]Iodo-4-phosphonomethylbenzoate ([131I]SIPMB), a Negatively Charged Substituent-Bearing Acylation Agent for the Radioiodination of Peptides and mAbs

An important criterion in design of acylation agents for the radioiodination of internalizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is to maximize the retention of radioiodine in the tumor following mAb intracellular processing. We have previously shown that labeling methods that generate positively charged catabolites have enhanced tumor retention. Herein we have extended this strategy to investigate the potential utility of labeling internalizing mAbs with an acylation agent that yielded labeled catabolites that would be negatively charged at lysosomal pH. The negatively charged acylation agent, N-succinimidyl 3-[131I]iodo-4-phosphonomethylbenzoate ([131I]SIPMB), was prepared from its tin precursor, N-succinimidyl 4-di-tert-butylphosphonomethyl-3-trimethylstannylbenzoate (tBu-SPMTB), in 40% radiochemical yield. The free acid, 3-[131I]iodo-4-phosphonomethylbenzoic acid ([131I]IPMBA), was also prepared from the corresponding precursor, 4-di-tert-butylphosphonomethyl-3-trimethylstannylbenzoic acid (tBu-PMTBA), in 8...
Recognition of printed text under realistic conditions

Abstract Past research in OCR has focused on the shape analysis of binarized images, quite often assuming good quality document and isolated characters. Such assumptions are challenged by the conditions met in practice: binarization is difficult for low contrast documents, characters often touch each other, not only on the sides but also between lines, etc. After a brief review of past work we will describe current efforts to deal with OCR as a signal processing problem where the causes of noise and distortions as well the idealized images (definitions of typefaces) are modeled and subjected to a quantitative analysis. The key idea of the analysis is that while printed text images may be binary in an ideal state, the images seen by the sensors are gray scale because of convolution distortion and other causes. Therefore binarization should be carried out at the same time as feature extraction.
Success of the modified epley maneuver in treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Objective: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPFV) is a common condition seen by otolaryngologists. The purpose of this study is to determine the ability of the modified Epley maneuver to treat BPPV. Study Design: Retrospective review. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 107 patients diagnosed with BPPV at our institution between March of 1993 and June of 1995. Each patient was diagnosed with isolated BPPV by history and Hallpike-Dix maneuver. There were no other vestibular symptoms or electronystagmogram abnormalities. Patients diagnosed with BPPV received modified Epley maneuvers, were instructed to remain upright for 48 hours, and wore a soft collar for a week. Patients were followed up with repeat Hallpike-Dix maneuvers at 1 to 2 weeks. If symptoms persisted, the maneuver was repeated for up to a maximum of three times, at which point patients were considered to have failed treatment. Results: The average age of patients was 57.8 years old. Thirty percent were male and the right ear was affected in 54%. The posterior semicircular canal was affected in 105 ears. The average patient received 1.23 Epley maneuvers, with a success rate of 93.4%. No successfully treated patients received mastoid vibration. Seven out of 107 patients failed after three Epley maneuvers. Two failure patients had a history of temporal bone fracture. Two failure patients were treated with posterior semicircular canal block surgery. Conclusion: The modified Epley maneuver is an excellent treatment for BPPV. Key Words: Vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Epley maneuver, semicircular canal.
Comparison of Sugar Molecule Decomposition through Glucose and Fructose: A High Level Quantum Chemical Study

Efficient chemical conversion of biomass is essential to produce sustainable energy and industrial chemicals. Industrial level conversion of glucose to useful chemicals, such as furfural, hydroxyme...
The wave antenna for transmission and reception

The traveling-wave horizontal-wire antenna over the earth is analyzed in its original form with vertical ground connections (the Beverage antenna) and with these replaced by horizontal terminations. For transmission, the electromagnetic field of an antenna with optimum length is determined, both along the surface of the earth in air and in the earth, in an accurate but simple form that takes full account of the proximity of the earth (lake, sea) on the distribution of current. For reception, the induced currents in the antenna and in the load are determined for a field incident along the surface of the earth. The two types of termination are compared and their contributions shown to be small when the horizontal wire has a length near the optimum.
Dynamic Monitoring of Grating Angle at the National Synchrotron Light Source

We present a dynamic monitoring method and monitoring system of grating angle, referred to as the Precise Angle Monitor (PAM), at U4B, a soft x-ray spherical grating monochromator (SGM) beam line at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS). In an SGM, a photon energy scan is accomplished by rotating the grating angle precisely. After several decades of service, the monochromator at U4B developed instabilities that severely impacted the experimental program. Over several hours, either the spectral shape experienced distortions or the spectral peak shifted. In order to directly monitor the grating motion during scans, the optical head of a portable long trace profiler (PTLTP) was installed on U4B as the PAM. We find that the grating rotational motion is not ideal: (1) the scan steps are not smooth and there are high-frequency step angle errors; (2) there is also a low-frequency angle error; and (3) an unstable thermal expansion produces extra rotational error. Measurements of dynamic monitoring are presented, including grating rotation repeatability and thermal instability. The results illustrate the utility of dynamic monitoring of monochromator motion during actual operation.
A chromatin insulator mediates transgene homing and very long-range enhancer-promoter communication

Insulator sequences help to organize the genome into discrete functional regions by preventing inappropriate cross-regulation. This is thought to be mediated in part through associations with other insulators located elsewhere in the genome. Enhancers that normally drive Drosophila even skipped (eve) expression are located closer to the TER94 transcription start site than to that of eve. We discovered that the region between these genes has enhancer-blocking activity, and that this insulator region also mediates homing of P-element transgenes to the eve-TER94 genomic neighborhood. Localization of these activities to within 0.6 kb failed to separate them. Importantly, homed transgenic promoters respond to endogenous eve enhancers from great distances, and this long-range communication depends on the homing/insulator region, which we call Homie. We also find that the eve promoter contributes to long-distance communication. However, even the basal hsp70 promoter can communicate with eve enhancers across distances of several megabases, when the communication is mediated by Homie. These studies show that, while Homie blocks enhancer-promoter communication at short range, it facilitates long-range communication between distant genomic regions, possibly by organizing a large chromosomal loop between endogenous and transgenic Homies.
Complement changes during leukapheresis.

Alterations of the complement system occurring during continuous-flow filtration leukapheresis (CFFL) and intermittent-flow centrifugation leukapheresis (IFCL) were assessed in 16 donors. Five blood samples were obtained at timed intervals during each cytaphere-sis, three directly from each donor and two from the efferent lines returning blood from the leukapheresis machines to the donors. Components measured were C1, C2, C4, C3, C3-C9 and CH50 of the classical, and factor B, properdin and properdin convertase of the alternative pathways. Changes in concentrations of components were compared to baseline values present in donor blood obtained prior to cytapheresis. During the first 10 minutes of CFFL, C2, C4, C3-9 and CH50 were decreased (p < 0.05) in machine efferent fluids, but returned towards normal as the procedure continued. Changes in donor venous blood, decreased factor B, properdin and C3-C9, were demonstrated only at the end of cytapheresis. During IFCL, significant (p < 0.05) decreases of C1, C2, C3-C9 and factor B occurred in donor blood after 60 minutes of cytapheresis, however, all deficiencies except B corrected spontaneously as cytapheresis continued. In contrast, concentrations of C2, C4, C3-C9, CH50 and factor B remained decreased in machine efferent fluids throughout the procedure. The data support those of previous studies that have demonstrated complement activation at the filter site during CFFL. Changes in donor venous blood are a new finding that may indicate in vivo activation of the alternative pathway. Profound changes of the complement system occur during IFCL also, but complement activation seems a less likely explanation. Instead, complement proteins may be lost by adsorption onto the surfaces of the IFCL software.
Neosporosis in cattle.

Neospora caninum is a coccidian parasite of animals. It is a major cause of abortion in cattle in many countries. Domestic dogs and coyotes are the only known definitive hosts for N caninum. It is one of the most efficiently transmitted infections of cattle, and up to 90% of cattle in some herds are infected. Transplacental transmission is considered the major route of transmission of N caninum in cattle. There is no proven vaccine to prevent N caninum abortion.
Matrix representation of cell structure, functional processes and evolution: Part V of a general theory

The purpose of this paper is to formulate a compact analytical representation of cell structure, functional processes and evolution. In this formulation, the individual molecular structures are represented by their force-field surfaces. Complementary active sites on these surfaces permit molecular interactions. In cells, these interactions are further regulated by barrier systems in time, space, specificity, and energy. In terms of these parameters, evolution can be represented (modeled) as a random walk in a multi-dimensional space, subject to constraints. In this paper, the various parameters are integrated into a single compact matrix (stack) representation (a three index array). Cell life cycle and functional processes can be represented as a sequence of quantized, time-dependent changes in the representation matrix, subject to specified constraints. Cell evolution can be modeled by generating allowed matrix combinations. This theoretical approach has applications in: (1) ordering and interpreting experimental findings into the matrix representation. Missing matrix elements can be predicted, to be confirmed experimentally; (2) theoretical analysis and prediction of cell regulatory processes and the possible pathological failures; (3) theoretical derivation of the possible biological structures and functional processes, modeling possible pathways of cell and molecular evolution in terms of the matrix representation.
Catecholamine-containing axon terminals in the hypoglossal nucleus of the rat: an immuno-electronmicroscopic study.

A correlative light and electron microscopic investigation was undertaken to determine the morphology and distribution of catecholamine (CA)-containing axon terminals in the hypoglossal nucleus (XII) of the rat. This was accomplished immunocytochemically with antibody to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The major findings in this study were the following: 1) Immunoreactive profiles were found throughout XII and included unmyelinated axons, varicosities, axon terminals and dendrites; 2) Nonsynaptic immunoreactive profiles (preterminal axons, varicosities) were more frequently observed (55.2%) than synaptic profiles (43.5%); 3) CA-containing axon terminals ending on dendrites were more numerous (71.8%) than those synapsing on somata (25.4%) or nonlabeled axon terminals (2.7%); 4) The morphology of labeled axon terminals was variable. Axodendritic terminals typically contained numerous small, round agranular vesicles, a few large dense-core vesicles and were associated with either a symmetric or no synaptic specialization, axosomatic terminals were often associated with a presynaptic membrane thickening or a symmetric synaptic specialization and contained small, round and a few elliptical-shaped vesicles, while axoaxonic synapses formed asymmetric postsynaptic specializations; and 5) CA-positive dendritic processes were identified in XII. These findings confirm the CA innervation of XII, and suggest a complex, multifunctional role for CA in controlling oro-lingual motor behavior.
Puerto Rican injection drug users: Prevention implications in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico

This study examines whether place of residence is a factor associated with reporting a positive HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C (HCV), or Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) status in a sample of 400 injection drug users (IDUs) residing on the Island of Puerto Rico (N=139) and in western Massachusetts (N=261). Logistic regression models revealed that IDUs residing in western Massachusetts were 66% less likely to be HIV positive compared to IDUs residing in Puerto Rico (p<.000) while IDUs residing in western Massachusetts were about 67% less likely to have a positive STD status than those residing in Puerto Rico (p<.000). Place of residence was not significantly associated with HCV status. Results indicate the need to develop prevention programs tailored to the unique socio-cultural context of Puerto Rican IDUs residing on the Island of Puerto Rico whose circumstances differ from those in the mainland US. To reduce drug use, HIV/AIDS, HCV, and STDs among Puerto Ricans in both locales, the Capacity Enhancement Model is proposed in order to develop more effective prevention programs.
Determination of Alachlor, Atrazine, and Metribuzin in Soil by Resin Extraction

An accurate and precise procedure for simultaneous resin extraction of alachlor (2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-methoxymethylacetanilide), atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine), and metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] in soil extracts is described
GAT1 (GABA:Na+:Cl-) cotransport function. Database reconstruction with an alternating access model.

We have developed an alternating access transport model that accounts well for GAT1 (GABA:Na+:Cl−) cotransport function in Xenopus oocyte membranes. To do so, many alternative models were fitted to a database on GAT1 function, and discrepancies were analyzed. The model assumes that GAT1 exists predominantly in two states, Ein and Eout. In the Ein state, one chloride and two sodium ions can bind sequentially from the cytoplasmic side. In the Eout state, one sodium ion is occluded within the transporter, and one chloride, one sodium, and one γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) molecule can bind from the extracellular side. When Ein sites are empty, a transition to the Eout state opens binding sites to the outside and occludes one extracellular sodium ion. This conformational change is the major electrogenic GAT1 reaction, and it rate-limits forward transport (i.e., GABA uptake) at 0 mV. From the Eout state, one GABA can be translocated with one sodium ion to the cytoplasmic side, thereby forming the *Ein state. Thereafter, an extracellular chloride ion can be translocated and the occluded sodium ion released to the cytoplasm, which returns the transporter to the Ein state. GABA–GABA exchange can occur in the absence of extracellular chloride, but a chloride ion must be transported to complete a forward transport cycle. In the reverse transport cycle, one cytoplasmic chloride ion binds first to the Ein state, followed by two sodium ions. One chloride ion and one sodium ion are occluded together, and thereafter the second sodium ion and GABA are occluded and translocated. The weak voltage dependence of these reactions determines the slopes of outward current–voltage relations. Experimental results that are simulated accurately include (a) all current–voltage relations, (b) all substrate dependencies described to date, (c) cis–cis and cis–trans substrate interactions, (d) charge movements in the absence of transport current, (e) dependencies of charge movement kinetics on substrate concentrations, (f) pre–steady state current transients in the presence of substrates, (g) substrate-induced capacitance changes, (h) GABA–GABA exchange, and (i) the existence of inward transport current and GABA–GABA exchange in the nominal absence of extracellular chloride.
DESIGNING, PLANNING, AND SELLING PROJECT A

Because of its size and its focus on an entire personnel system, Project A represents an unusual chapter in the support of personnel research and development (R & D) by a funding agency. This paper describes the events that led up to the decision to create such a Request for Proposals (RFP), and the conditions that made it possible. The conditions that seem necessary to maintain such a project over the course of its life cycle are also discussed.
Promoting breastfeeding in Guinea-Bissau

Breast milk alone gives adequate nutrition to the healthy singleton newborn up to about 6 mo of age. Not even in hot climates are extra fluids necessary and supplementary feeding with semi-solids is not needed until at least 4 mo of age. Exclusively breastfed children have less frequent and milder infections than their non-breastfed or only partially breastfed age-mates and this holds true not only for diarrhoeal disease but for most other types of infections as well. The main alternative bottlefeeding of cow’s milk-based formulas constitutes a great health hazard in poverty settings due to hygienic problems and cost. The WHO has established an International Code on the marketing of breast milk substitutes which has gained wide acceptance. Nevertheless especially in underprivileged urban environments many parents resort to bottle-feeding their infants from an early age often with catastrophic consequences. (excerpt)
Analysis of cyclotron harmonic emissions at the outer planets

The flyby missions of Voyagers 1 and 2 at Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus revealed intense waves above the electron gyrofrequency. Observation of waves at the upper hybrid frequency is often accompanied by power at adjacent electron Bernstein harmonics, and the relative power in these modes depends both on the density and temperature ratios of the cold background electron population and the hot magnetospheric electrons which drive the instability. A model of electron distributions which is consistent with observations is used for analysis of the excited waves, their dependence upon plasma parameters, and the time scales of the saturation processes. It is shown that in the presence of two-temperature electron distributions the linear excitation is due to a fluidlike coupling of two eigenmodes for perpendicular propagation and to kinetic destalization of oblique modes. The dependence of linear growth rates on propagation angle is presented, along with results from particle simulations. A quasi-linear diffusion time for relaxing the hot electron loss cone is calculated and compared with simulation results. This time scale is faster than for local saturation by heating the cold population, and also the convective amplification time scale, suggesting that the waves saturate at quasi-linear levels, while being convectively localized to the equatorial regions of the outer planetary magnetospheres.
Mobility of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil in the presence of carbon nanotubes

Being a potential risk to the environment, a fate study of carbon nanotube (CNT) in the environment is urgently needed. A study of CNT impacts on the bioavailability of other conventional contaminants in a terrestrial system is particularly rare. This study explored PAH leaching behaviors in the presence of CNTs with column leaching tests. Four PAHs (Naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene), three CNTs (f-SWNTs, MWNTs, f-MWNTs), and a sandy loam soil were involved in this study. We found that at a concentration of 5mg/g, CNTs could significantly retain PAHs in soil. Such a strong PAH retention was caused by low mobilities of CNTs and their strong PAH sorption capacities. This study illustrated that the properties of both sorbents (e.g. available surface area and micropore volume) and sorbates (e.g. hydrophobicity and molecular volume) influenced the mobility of PAHs in soil.