cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automated evolutionary optimization of ion channel conductances and kinetics in models of young and aged rhesus monkey pyramidal neurons

Conductance-based compartment modeling requires tuning of many parameters to fit the neuron model to target electrophysiological data. Automated parameter optimization via evolutionary algorithms (EAs) is a common approach to accomplish this task, using error functions to quantify differences between model and target. We present a three-stage EA optimization protocol for tuning ion channel conductances and kinetics in a generic neuron model with minimal manual intervention. We use the technique of Latin hypercube sampling in a new way, to choose weights for error functions automatically so that each function influences the parameter search to a similar degree. This protocol requires no specialized physiological data collection and is applicable to commonly-collected current clamp data and either single- or multi-objective optimization. We applied the protocol to two representative pyramidal neurons from layer 3 of the prefrontal cortex of rhesus monkeys, in which action potential firing rates are significantly higher in aged compared to young animals. Using an idealized dendritic topology and models with either 4 or 8 ion channels (10 or 23 free parameters respectively), we produced populations of parameter combinations fitting the target datasets in less than 80 hours of optimization each. Passive parameter differences between young and aged models were consistent with our prior results using simpler models and hand tuning. We analyzed parameter values among fits to a single neuron to facilitate refinement of the underlying model, and across fits to multiple neurons to show how our protocol will lead to predictions of parameter differences with aging in these neurons.
Practice and Prospects of Intelligent Dispatch with Chinese Characteristics

As the nerve central of smart grid,intelligent dispatch is the key component of the strong and smart grid.This paper analyzes the significance of the construction of intelligent dispatch and the statement of home and overseas research progress,describes the content and architecture as well as characteristics of intelligent dispatch,summarizes the existing technical foundation and the future technology demands for intelligent dispatch.
Muslim–Christian Relations in Late Ottoman Palestine: Where Nationalism and Religion Intersect

In Muslim–Christian Relations in Late Ottoman Palestine, Erik Freas investigates Christian–Muslim relations through the lens of ‘Arab national identity, or Arabism’ in Palestine throughout the nine...
Testing Assumptions in Human Pain Models: Psychophysical Differences Between First and Second Pain.

Abstract Acute pain arises from activation of myelinated (A delta) and unmyelinated (C) nociceptive afferents, leading to first (A-fiber) or second (C-fiber) pain sensations. The current study sought to investigate first and second pain within glabrous and hairy skin sites in human upper limbs. Fifty healthy adults (25 male/25 female, 18–30 years old, mean = 20.5 ± 1.4 years) participated in a psychophysical study investigating electronically rated, thermal first and second pain sensations within the glabrous skin at the palm and hairy skin of the forearm. Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that the threshold for first pain was lower (more sensitive) than for second pain ( P = .004), for glabrous as well as hairy skin, and thresholds at glabrous skin were higher than for hairy skin ( P = .001). Hairy skin presented a steeper slope for testing, whereas there were no differences in slope between first and second pain. The study findings support assumptions associated with mechanistic differences between first and second pain sensations, while offering a novel method for producing first and second pain with the same thermal stimulus. Efforts to understand abnormalities among people with clinical pain and development of new therapeutic agents will benefit from specific psychophysical methods. Perspective This article presents a novel method for directly comparing first and second pain within the same thermal stimulus. The ability to directly compare first and second pain sensations can aid in understanding pain abnormalities in clinical pain and development of therapeutic aids.
Finding solutions to the problem of burnout.

Whenever the topic of job burnout gets raised, the key question is often “What can we do about it?” Although many different ideas have been proposed about how to deal with burnout, few of them have ever been implemented or evaluated systematically. Furthermore, there is a bias toward fixing people,
A Hybrid Knowledge Based-Clustering Multi-Class SVM Approach for Genes Expression Analysis

This study utilizes Support Vector Machines (SVM) for multi-class classification of a real data set with more than two classes. The data is a set of E. coli whole-genome gene expression profiles. The problem is how to classify these genes based on their behavior in response to changing pH of the growth medium and mutation of the acid tolerance response gene regulator GadX. In order to apply these techniques, first we have to label the genes. The labels indicate the response of genes to the experimental variables: 1-unchanged, 2-decreased expression level and 3-increased expression level. To label the genes, an unsupervised K-Means clustering technique is applied in a multi-level scheme. Multi-level K-Means clustering is itself an improvement over standard K-Means applications. SVM is used here in two ways. First, labels resulting from multi-level K-Means clustering are confirmed by SVM. To judge the performance of SVM, two other methods, K-nearest neighbor (KNN) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) are implemented. The Implementation of Multi-class SVM used one-against-one method and one-against-all method. The results show that SVM outperforms KNN and LDA. The advantage of SVM includes the generalization error and the computing time. Second, different from the first application, SVM is used to label the genes after it is trained by a set of training data obtained from K-Means clustering. This alternative SVM strategy offers an improvement over standard SVM applications.
The Aging Respiratory System: Strategies to Minimize Postoperative Pulmonary Complications

Even though there is a gradual reduction in respiratory function that occurs with age, respiratory capacity remains adequate for healthy elderly individuals under normal circumstances. However, this reduced capacity can be unmasked and lead to morbidity when elderly patients are under times of stress. The perioperative period disrupts normal respiratory physiology via multiple mechanisms including exposure to anesthetic agents which reduce respiratory drive and weakened musculature required for respiration, altered body position leading to atelectasis, and changes in lung fluid balance. With their reduced capacity, elderly patients are particularly susceptible to postoperative pulmonary complications, which account for approximately 40% of the perioperative deaths in patients over 65 years of age. In this chapter, we review the effects of aging on pulmonary function and the effects of anesthesia and surgery on this function. Particular emphasis is directed to the surgical and anesthetic factors that stress the respiratory system of the elderly and how these factors increase the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications.
New photoelectric injector design for the Los Alamos National Laboratory XUV FEL accelerator

Abstract The injector for the Los Alamos National Laboratory XUV FEL accelerator has been redesigned to provide more charge to the wiggler. The new design can deliver 8nC of charge within 20 ps with a normalized 90% emittance of π mm mrad to the wiggler at an energy of 200 MeV. In addition to the new design of the injector, we analyze the emittance growth and subsequent reduction through the injector, including the different mechanisms for emittance growth and the methods used to eliminate the correlated emittance.
Symmetry and Transformations: Rotation Matrices

Now that I have looked at approximation techniques and scattering theory, I return to some more formal aspects of quantum mechanics. I begin with a discussion of symmetry and see how this leads to a somewhat more sophisticated picture of angular momentum. We have seen already that energy degeneracy arises in problems for which there is an associated symmetry. Moreover, in most of these cases, there is also a conserved dynamic variable that was connected with the symmetry (e.g. in central field potentials, angular momentum is conserved and the potential is spherically symmetric).
Water Quality Condition and Assessment within the Barnegat Bay Watershed between 2011 and 2015

ABSTRACT Pang, H.; Ingelido, P.; Hirst, B.; Pflaumer, J.; Witt, A.; Zaman, A., and Aiello, J., 2017. Water quality condition and assessment within the Barnegat Bay watershed between 2011 and 2015. In: Buchanan, G.A.; Belton, T.J., and Paudel, B. (eds.), A Comprehensive Assessment of Barnegat Bay–Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. To address the ecological health of Barnegat Bay in New Jersey, a comprehensive water monitoring program has been conducted within the Barnegat Bay watershed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and multiple partners since June 2011. Barnegat Bay and its tributaries were evaluated for multiple water quality metrics and from various perspectives. The nutrient concentrations and loadings from the tributaries in the northern watershed are higher than those from the tributaries in the southern portion of the watershed. Within Barnegat Bay, higher nitrogen concentrations were observed in the northern portion, while higher total phosphorus (TP) concentrations occurred i...
Novel Approach to 3D Imaging Based on Fringe Projection Technique

In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) imaging system based on Fringe Projection Profilometry (FPP) has been developed tremendously fast [1]. However, all current systems can provide either fast speed [2] or high accuracy measurement, but not both. In addition, very few of them can deal with multiple complex-shaped and separated 3D objects at real-time speed. This proposed paper presents a novel approach to a real-time FPP-based 3D imaging system that is able to handle multiple 3D objects at super high-speed, high-accuracy, and full-field measurement for practical applications, such as object detection, digital model generation, reverse engineering, rapid prototyping, product inspection, quality control, etc. The approach takes advantage of a special design for FPP-based 3D system that utilizes the color wheel mechanism of single chip projector to achieve real-time speed. Furthermore, multiple-frequency technique is fully developed to cope with multiple objects as well as to significantly increase the accuracy. The system with this approach is capable of imaging at 30 3D-views per second with an accuracy of 1/2,000 or 10 3D-views per second with a very high accuracy of 1/12,000.
Improving Community Stroke Preparedness in the HHS (Hip-Hop Stroke) Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background and Purpose—Deficiencies in stroke preparedness cause major delays to stroke thrombolysis, particularly among economically disadvantaged minorities. We evaluated the effectiveness of a s...
Carbohydrate Recognition Systems for Receptor-Mediated Pinocytosis

Pinocytosis is a mechanism for the transport of molecules from the exterior to the interior of the cell without transfer through the plasma membrane. Transport of molecules occurs when the membrane wraps around the external material to form vesicles which are pinched off and internalized. The vesicles fuse with lysosomes, the contents of which become enriched with the material brought in from the outside. If the area of the plasma membrane which is internalized has receptors to which a particular substance is tightly bound, that substance is delivered to lysosomes far more efficiently and selectively than if it were simply trapped within the pinocytotic vesicle. In recent years, receptor-mediated pinocytosis systems have been described for substances as diverse as cholesterol esters, vitamin B12, hormones and growth factors, circulating glycoproteins, and hydrolytic enzymes. It is the last two groups, which involve the recognition of specific carbohydrate residues, that are the subject of this chapter.
Adenovirus DNA Replication

As documented throughout this book, the adenoviruses have proved to be useful models for probing the basic mechanisms of macromolecular synthesis in eukaryotic cells. Much of the work on adenovirus DNA replication has been motivated by the idea that analysis of the replication of simple viral chromosomes may provide insights useful for understanding the complex mechanisms involved in the replication of eukaryotic chromosomes. Progress in this area has been rapid in recent years. Many of the general features of the adenovirus DNA replication pathway are now reasonably well understood from analysis of viral DNA synthesis in vivo. In addition, a cell-free replication system dependent on exogenous adenovirus DNA templates has been developed. This system has provided a means to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in initiation and chain elongation and to purify and characterize replication proteins. This chapter summarizes the available information on adenovirus DNA replication with particular emphasis on current developments. Additional information may be found in several recent reviews of the subject (Winnacker, 1978; Flint and Broker, 1980; Kelly, 1982; Challberg and Kelly, 1982).
Colliding Winds in O-Type Binaries

In close binary systems of O-type stars, the individual stellar winds will collide between the stars to form shock fronts. The existence of the shock region can be established through observations of excess X-ray emission and orbital phase-related variations in UV wind features and optical emission lines. Here I report on work in progress on the orbital variations of the UV wind lines in a large sample of O-binaries that have been observed with the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite. In most of these binaries, the blue absorption trough of the P-Cygni lines weakens when the strong wind component is behind its companion, in accordance with expectations for colliding winds. I describe how the radial velocity variations of the wind features differ from the orbital motions. Finally I discuss observations of Hα emission in these systems, with emphasis on HD 47129 (Plaskett’s star). Such optical emission lines act as a probe of high density regions in the winds.
Acyl Coenzyme a Synthetase and the Transport of Long-Chain Fatty Acids

Long-chain fatty acids and their derivatives represent essential components of membranes, importance sources of metabolic energy and important effector molecules that regulate metabolism. Prior to any type of metabolic transformation, exogenous long-chain fatty acids (C12 - C18) must pass through the cell membrane. A saturable long-chain fatty acid uptake process that is effective at nanomolar concentrations has been described in a number of different cells type suggesting these compounds enter the cell by a facilitated mechanism. This suggestion is supported by work showing that this process is also rapid, blocked by fatty acid analogues and protease sensitive1-6. Once long-chain fatty acids are taken up by the cell, they become bound to intracellular fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) or are activated into CoA thioesters. Fatty acyl CoA thioesters serve as substrates for both β-oxidation and phospholipid synthesis.
Nursing Education and Nursing Research Utilization: Is There a Connection in Clinical Settings?

According to a survey of 753 nurses in Northern California, nurses with higher levels of education are more involved in research utilization and research activities. The data support the American Nurses' Association model of progressive involvement in research utilization and research conduct. Recommendations to improve research utilization in clinical and academic settings are provided.
Alleviation of Short Channel Effects in Ge Negative Capacitance pFinFETs

In order to overcome the Boltzmann's tyranny, where subthreshold slope (SS) of a MOSFET is limited at a minimum of 60 mV/dec at room temperature, various device schemes utilizing different current transport mechanisms and novel materials were studied extensively [1], [2]. Among these candidates, incorporation of ferroelectric (FE) oxides along with capacitance-matched gate stacks helped realize the hysteresis-free negative capacitance (NC) FETs with bi-directional sub-60mV/dec SS [3], [4]. It has been discussed that these NCFETs not only give reduced SS but also show negative DIBL due to its nature of NC [5]. This could possibly lead to higher tolerance towards the conventional short channel effects (SCEs) such as steep increase in SS, DIBL and V T roll-off with scaling of channel length. However, such robustness to SCEs has not been carefully studied in the state-of-the-art Germanium NCFETs. In this paper, more than hundreds of devices were carefully measured with respect to channel length and device parameters were extracted so that such properties could be seen more explicitly. The NCFETs' parameters (SS, DIBL, VT) were compared directly with our reported Ge pFinFETs with conventional high-k dielectric [6] to graphically show the advantage of NC Ge FinFETs over the conventional Ge FinFETs.
A Microfluidic-Based Microscopy Platform for Continuous Interrogation of Trypanosoma brucei during Environmental Perturbation

The African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei, is the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). African trypanosomes are extracellular parasites that possess a single flagellum that imparts a high degree of motility to the microorganisms. In addition, African trypanosomes show significant metabolic and structural adaptation to environmental conditions. Analysis of the ways that environmental cues affect these organisms generally requires rapid perfusion experiments in combination with single-cell imaging, which are difficult to apply under conditions of rapid motion. Microfluidic devices have been used previously as a strategy for trapping small motile cells in a variety of organisms, including trypanosomes; however, in the past, such devices required individual fabrication in a cleanroom, limiting their application. Here we demonstrate that a commercial microfluidic device, typically used for bacterial trapping, can trap bloodstream and procyclic form trypanosomes, allowing for rapid buffer exchange via perfusion. As a result, time-lapse single-cell microscopy images of these highly motile parasites were acquired during environmental variations. Using these devices, we have been able to perform and analyze perfusion-based single-cell tracking experiments of the responses of the parasite to changes in glucose availability, which is a major step in resolving the mechanisms of adaptation of kinetoplasts to their individual biological niches; we demonstrate utility of this tool for making measurements of procyclic form trypanosome intracellular glucose levels as a function of changes in extracellular glucose concentrations. These experiments demonstrate that cytosolic glucose equilibrates with external conditions as fast as, or faster than, the rate of solution exchange in the instrument.
Advanced Event-Sampling Support for PAPI

The PAPI performance library is a widely used tool for gathering performance data from running applications. Modern processors support advanced sampling interfaces, such as Intel’s Precise Event Based Sampling (PEBS) and AMD’s Instruction Based Sampling (IBS). The current PAPI sampling interface predates the existence of these interfaces and only provides simple instruction-pointer based samples.
Rotational and vibrational fingerprints of the oxywater cation (H2OO+), a possible precursor to abiotic O2

Abstract The oxywater cation (H2OO+) has been suggested as a possible intermediate in the abiotic formation of molecular oxygen in the gas phase potentially relating to the chemistry of comets or the upper atmosphere. Accurate spectroscopic data of the oxywater cation is required for astrochemical or atmospheric observations to have any ability to support or refute the role that this molecule could play in such processes. This work improves upon the existing literature by using a quartic force field approach at a high-level of theory and examines both the X ∼ 2 A ′ and 1 4 A ″ states of H2OO+. The weaker bonding in the quartet state makes it behave more like water than the doublet state, but both are notably different from gas phase water. Both states have four bright vibrational peaks corresponding to the two O H stretches, the out-of-plane bend, and the symmetric bend. These bands will probably still be in the same range as those from H2O in some cases making H2OO+ non-trivial to differentiate from water in the infrared. Fortunately, both states of the molecule have large dipole moments (3.91 D & 1.96 D, respective of the X ∼ 2 A ′ and 1 4 A ″ states) allowing them to be detected, distinguished, and characterized in the laboratory or potentially using ground-based radio telescopes with the spectroscopic data generated here.
Operations Management: A Research Overview

Operations Management (OM) is a multi-faceted blend of myriad academic andpractical disciplines – from engineering and economics via mathematics and marketing, to systems and psychology. To capture the state of the art, the bookreviews contemporary and classic scholarship in one of the oldest business and management disciplines. To offer the reader a thought-provoking point of entry into the selected sources, the book curates its content as an imaginary exhibit, eachchapter a thematic OM ‘gallery’ (process; planning and control; people; strategy and measurement; technology) introduced by a description of some extraordinary artefacts, paintings, sculptures and architecture. The content has been curated around three principles intended to benefit the casual reader and both new and established OM scholars. First, it incorporates works that build on, or help to distinguish, fundamental tenets from more transitory fads. Second, the text makes significant efforts to try and balance the gravitational pull of the factory, (even though this may not offer an accurate representation of the majority of the field) and third, to try to keep managerial rather than technical/ analytical concerns to the fore. This concise book provides a useful overview of current and classic OM research. Written by a leading authority, it is intended to be a valuable and engaging resource for both students and scholars of business.
STUDY OF WELL-TEST MODEL OF LOW PERMEABILITY'S DUAL-PORE MEDIA WITH FLOWING BOUNDARY IN OIL AND GAS

According to the practice of exploitation and well testing in low permeability reservoirs, the fluid flow had the starting pressure gradient in low permeability reservoirs. The well test curves are not easy to show the radius flow straight lines. a feature of pressure propagation with low velocity non-darcy percolation is that the fluid flowing boundary extends outwards continuously. In views of this situation, a fixed boundary mathematical model based on the pattern of low velocity non-darcy percolation with wellbore storage and skin effect was presented, and solutions of wellbore pressure in Laplace domain was solved with Green's function. The radiuses of flowing boundary corresponding to the different time were determined in accordance with the starting differential pressure by fluid from static to flowing condition, analytical solution of fixed boundary model was then used to calculate the correction of wellbore pressure varied with time, which was regarded as a numerical approximation of flowing boundary model. The curves of the wellbore pressure varied with time were developed by Stehfest reverse method, and the influences of flowing boundary, starting pressure gradient, storage ratio, inter porosity flow coefficient and difference between darcy percolation and non-darcy percolation were discussed in details.
The Behavior of Superabsorbent Polymers (SAPs) in Cement Mixtures with Glass Powders as Supplementary Cementitious Materials

The absorption and desorption of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) in cement mixtures containing two different glass powders as supplementary cementitious materials are examined in this paper. Two SAPs with different chemical compositions were synthesized in-house and used in the experiments. SAP absorption was investigated directly through the mass change of SAPs in cement slurries, as well as indirectly using the flow test. Scanning electron microscopy was used to monitor the desorption of SAPs using samples prepared with freeze-drying. Hydration and setting time were evaluated to explain the desorption behavior of SAPs. SAP absorption generally increased in pastes with glass powders. The desorption rate of SAPs in different pastes was shown to correlate with the onset of solid skeleton development in the pastes. The addition of SAPs reduced autogenous shrinkage in neat cement paste more than in pastes with glass powders.
A Review of the Methodology of Analyzing Aflatoxin and Fumonisin in Single Corn Kernels and the Potential Impacts of These Methods on Food Security

Current detection methods for contamination of aflatoxin and fumonisin used in the corn industry are based on bulk level. However, literature demonstrates that contamination of these mycotoxins is highly skewed and bulk samples do not always represent accurately the overall contamination in a batch of corn. Single kernel analysis can provide an insightful level of analysis of the contamination of aflatoxin and fumonisin, as well as suggest a possible remediation to the skewness present in bulk detection. Current literature describes analytical methods capable of detecting aflatoxin and fumonisin at a single kernel level, such as liquid chromatography, fluorescence imaging, and reflectance imaging. These methods could provide tools to classify mycotoxin contaminated kernels and study potential co-occurrence of aflatoxin and fumonisin. Analysis at a single kernel level could provide a solution to the skewness present in mycotoxin contamination detection and offer improved remediation methods through sorting that could impact food security and management of food waste.
Mobility and Elite Cues: Partisan Responses to Covid-19

Scholars have long demonstrated the power of partisan cues on the public's political views, but it is unclear to what extent this power spills over to non-political spheres. We test whether elite cues on Covid-19 influence social distancing behavior amid overwhelming information about the health risks. We start by confirming that counties which voted for Trump in 2016 were less likely to shelter in place than counties which supported Clinton. Using Trump's skepticism about the severity of the pandemic, we show that Republican-leaning counties were more likely to shelter in place when Trump took the virus seriously. We evaluate the relative importance of elite cues and objective facts on shelter-in-place behaviors via variable importance tests, confirming that Trump's pronouncements play a significant role, particularly in Republican counties. These patterns reflect a story in which elite cues influence not just costless political attitudes, but real-world behaviors with life and death consequences.
What Is, and to What End Do We Study, European Astroculture?

Militarizing Outer Space is the final volume in the European Astroculture trilogy. This epilogue discusses the successful establishment of astroculture as a field of modern (European) historiography and suggests three new perspectives for further research on global astroculture and the making of our planetized present.
Neonatal Cardiac Emergencies: A Multidisciplinary Simulation Curriculum for Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology Fellows

Introduction Although care for neonates with cardiac disease is frequently provided by neonatologists and pediatric cardiologists, training in the multidisciplinary management of neonatal cardiac e...
Incidence of Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in Critically-Ill COVID-19 Patients

Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with diffuse lung injury that can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome, multisystem-organ failure, and death. The inflammatory storm seen in many COVID-19 patients closely resembles secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) which has been described in other virus-associated severe sepsis. We sought to describe the incidence of sHLH in COVID-19 infected patients. Design In this retrospective study, we reviewed the records of critically ill COVID-19 positive patients to determine the incidence of sHLH. An H-score for sHLH diagnosis was determined for each study participant, with a score greater than 169 points needed for diagnosis. Setting A quaternary referral center in suburban Pennsylvania, USA. Patients All study participants had a positive COVID-19 test, and were deemed critically ill defined as receiving invasive mechanical ventilation and/or who expired. Measurements and Main Results Of the 246 records identified, 242 records met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Eighty five patients were excluded from analysis due to missing H-score data parameters. Overall, 32 of 157 (20.38%, 95% CI:14.38-27.54%) patients met diagnostic criteria for sHLH. The average age was 69.42 years (standard deviation (SD) 14.81). Patients diagnosed with sHLH were more likely to be younger (61.09 years vs 69.38 years, P = 0.0036), male (71.88% vs 52.00%, P = 0.0433), and require mechanical ventilation (96.88% vs 72.80%, P = 0.0035). Conclusions Among critically ill COVID-19 positive patients, the incidence of sHLH is higher than previously reported in patients with non-COVID-19 related sepsis. Clinicians caring for COVID-19 patients should consider this secondary diagnosis and subsequent appropriate treatments, especially in those requiring mechanical ventilation.
Avatar-Based Self-Influence in a Traditional CMC Environment

Abstract. Dubbed the Proteus effect, research has shown that avatars influence user behavior in virtual reality and video game environments (Yee & Bailenson, 2007, 2009); however, does this same ef...
Programmed cell death: Cytochemical evidence for lysosomes during the normal breakdown of the intersegmental muscles

Electron cytochemical studies of the breakdown of the intersegmental muscles of silkmoths reveal that the percent cross-sectional area covered by lysosomes increases 4-fold as breakdown begins and another 6-fold during the period of lysis. The lysosomes digest sodium β -glycerophosphate at acid pH, but none of several other substrates tested. In later stages of digestion, autophagic vacuoles are seen. Although elongate structures are sometimes seen in the lysosomes, myofilaments appear to be digested external to these organelles. Mitochondria shrink and are rapidly destroyed, but nuclei apear normal until degeneration is well advanced. Late degenerative changes appear to involve budding off of remaining cytoplasm, leaving behind only pycnotic nuclei. Hemocytes are present at all stages, but do not traverse the basement membrane or otherwise take an active role in lysis.
Toxicity Testing in Wastewater Treatment Plants Using Microorganisms

Introduction Survey of Microbiotests for Monitoring Toxicity in Wastewater Treatment Plants Keywords: toxicity in wastewater; toxicity testing; toxicity to microorganisms; wastewater treatment
Comparing Ancient Worlds: Comparative History as Comparative Advantage

The expansion of the system of higher education in China has led to growing interest in the study of western antiquity. This development opens up new opportunities for Chinese academics. This paper argues that they are now in a good position to embrace and promote the comparative study of ancient civilizations in eastern and western Eurasia. This approach would enable Chinese scholarship to establish a fruitful dialogue with its western counterpart and allow it to make a significant contribution to an area of study that has generally tended to be shaped by more traditional perspectives.
Measuring Hypersexual Behavior

Research on hypersexual behavior consisting of excessive and uncontrollable sexual fantasies, urges, and behavior has increased in recent years. Although no formal diagnosis for hypersexual behavior exists, criteria were proposed for Hypersexual Disorder (HD) for possible inclusion in the DSM-5 (Kafka, 2010). The present article aims to (a) review extant measures of hypersexual behavior, (b) compare the items on the existing measures to the proposed criteria of HD, and (c) evaluate which measures best reflect the proposed criteria. We present and review 32 measures, which fall into 3 categories: (a) clinical interviews, (b) self-report measures of general symptoms, and (c) self-report measures of consequences associated with hypersexual behavior. We conclude by providing recommendations for researchers and clinicians regarding use of these assessments.
Ion Channel Functional Candidate Genes in Multigenic Neuropsychiatric Disease

Scores of monogenic Mendelian ion channel diseases serve to anchor the pathophysiology of the channelopathies, but there are also now clear examples of environmental, pharmacogenetic, and acquired channelopathy mechanisms. The cardinal feature of heritable ion channel disease is a periodic disturbance of rhythmic function in constitutionally hyperexcitable tissue. While the complexity of neuroanatomy obscures functional analysis of mutations causing monogenic seizure, ataxia, or migraine syndromes, extrapolation from the cardiac (Long QT [LQT]) and muscle (Periodic Paralysis) channelopathy syndromes provides a simplified predictive framework of molecular pathology: electrically stabilizing potassium ion (K(+)) and chloride ion (Cl(-)) channels, likely having lesions that diminish their current, and excitatory Na(+) channels, likely having gain-of-function lesions. The voltage-gated calcium channel gene family that contains CACNA1C, the newest LQT locus, causing Timothy Syndrome with a phenotype including autism, has proven to be particularly informative for its members' ability to tie the various central nervous system (CNS) phenotypes together in an interpretable fashion, now including direct extension to the classically multigenic neuropsychiatric phenotypes. Features of a promising ion channel candidate gene arise from its broad locus, gene family, nature of alleles, physiology and pharmacology, tissue expression profile, and phenotype in model organisms. KCNN3 is explored as a paradigm to consider.
The cation and silica chemistry of a Subandean river basin in western Amazonia

We sampled river water at 13 locations in the Pichis basin, a 10 500 km2 large rainforest-covered drainage basin in Peru, to assess the influence of lithological variability and seasonality on water chemistry. The concentrations of major cations and silica show a strong seasonal dependence and a remarkable variability over short distances that is only weakly reduced in the wet season; cation concentrations in streams differ by up to 100% within a few kilometres. The lowest cation concentrations were associated with relatively cation-depleted upper Tertiary and lower Quaternary formations, whereas relatively cation-rich lower Tertiary and Jurassic formations left a clear calcium and sodium signal in the respective rivers. Cluster analysis, in conjunction with boxplots, suggests that the sampling locations can be segregated into three groups based on similarities of their geochemical signals. According to the previously defined criteria, one river is classified as a Group 2 river with 200 < TZ+ < 450 µeq/L, whereas all other rivers fall into Group 3 with 450 < TZ+ < 3000 µeq/L (where TZ+ refers to the total cation charge). Based on a comparison with other studies at different sections of the Amazon mainstem, the river chemistry of our study area is relatively enriched in K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+, and, consequently, has a higher TZ+ value, while being relatively depleted in silica. The influence of lithological variability on water chemistry must be considered in land-use change studies even at watershed areas of 26–3382 km2. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The relevance of the behavioral sciences to the study of international relations

Students of international relations are currently engaged in considerable controversy as to the theoretical and methodological directions which the field ought to take. This paper adds some fuel to the fire in discussing the uses and limits of sociology, psychology, and anthropology as they might apply to the development of international relations theory.
Long-term assessment of transgene behavior in barley: Ds -mediated delivery of bar results in robust, stable, and heritable expression

The utility of transgenic plants for both experimental and practical agronomic purposes is highly dependent on stable, predictable, and heritable expression of the introduced genes. This requirement is frequently unfulfilled, and transgenes often are completely silenced. Studies of transgenic loci have shown that rearrangements of transgenes occur during the integration process, some of which are potent cues that induce silencing. Conversely, intact, single-copy transgenes produced via transposon-mediated gene delivery have shown relatively stable expression, at least in early-generation progeny. To examine the long-term expression stability of a bar expression cassette delivered via Dissociation (Ds)-mediated transposition, we examined qualitative and quantitative expression in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) populations developed for transposon tagging. Qualitative assessments of herbicide resistance among 106 lines showed bar expression to be stable for at least five generations of advance via self-pollination. Similarly, qualitatively stable expression was observed among 31 near-isogenic lines derived from at least seven backcrosses to the cultivar Garnet. Quantitative RT-PCR measurements of bar expression were conducted for eight near-isogenic lines and their donor parents. The expression of bar was highly correlated in parent and progeny near-isogenic lines, showing high heritability of bar expression. These data demonstrate stable, predictable transgene expression following Ds-mediated delivery.
SU‐FF‐T‐300: Simple Commissioning and Quality Assurance of a Gating System

Purpose: Gating systems rely heavily on technology and automation, which increase the need for quality assurance. This work develops a simple method for commissioning and quality assurance of the complete gating process. Method and Materials: A lung phantom placed on a moving platform and was imaged with CT and 4DCT. The periodic superior‐inferior motion (with adjustable frequency and amplitude) of the phantom was captured with RPM system and reflective marker block. CTimages corresponding to 40%–60% expiration phase were selected for QA planning. Simple square fields as well as IMRT plans (using two different collimator angles) were simulated in the treatment planning system. The plans were delivered on a Varian 21Ex with OnBoard Imaging (OBI) capabilities. Radiographic films were inserted in the lung phantom during beam delivery. The phantom was positioned with OBI before the delivery of the plans. Each plan was delivered with and without gating for comparison. Films and dose planes from the planning system were analyzed using commercially available software, which produced dose difference and gamma index maps. Results: The geometric accuracy of dose distribution of gated treatment delivery was verified to be within 5 mm. The nearly perfect sinusoidal motion produced by the platform resulted in more superior‐inferior spread in the dose than initially planned. Intensity profiles were taken on films to document the normal amount of dose spread compared to the delivery of identical plan on static phantom. Analysis of gamma index and dose difference maps show that poor gated delivery result in increased dose outside the target volume and reduced coverage of the target. Conclusion: A rapid method to verify the accuracy of a gating process has been developed using commercially available software. The implementation and needed frequency of the test will be discussed.
Effect of intrastriatal injection of soman on acetylcholine, dopamine and serotonin metabolism

Abstract Intrastriatal injection of soman (14.85 nmol) inhibits cholinesterase (ChE) activity in the striatum with much smaller decreases in ChE activity in other brain areas of the rat. As would be expected, there is a substantial increase in striatal acetylcholine (ACh) content shortly after soman injection. However, this increase is no longer significant 1 h following intrastriatal injection. There is no change in striatal K ACh 20 min, 1 h or 24 h following soman injection. ACh content is not affected in the parietal cortex, hippocampus, or medulla/pons following intrastriatal soman injection. However, K ACh and/or ACh turnover are reduced in these brain areas following soman injection. There is no consistent effect on dopamine (DA) metabolism in any of the brain areas studied. However, serotonin (5-HT) metabolism appears to be affected in the cortex, hippocampus and medulla/pons following intrastriatal injection of soman. Possible mechanisms of the actions of local injection of soman on brain ACh and 5-HT metabolism are discussed, as well as the differences observed between the effects of local and peripheral administration of soman on DA metabolism in the striatum.
A new technique for preparation of rubella complement fixing antigen.

SummaryHomogeneous preparations of rubella complement fixing antigen, in sufficient quantity for routine serological work, have been obtained from the fluid phase of infected tissue cultures. Filtration experiments have demonstrated that at least part of the anti-genic activity is due to units smaller than the virus particles. Additional experiments on purification and characterization of this material are in progress. Complement fixing antibodies appear slowly after infection, reaching their peak titers by the third to sixth month, and persist with only a slight decrease a year after the acute episode.
Influences of soil, terrain, and crop growth on soil moisture variation from transect to farm scales

Abstract Soil and topography are widely recognized as important controls of soil moisture variation. Soil moisture distribution in a landscape has often been conceptualized as being controlled predominantly by soil properties during dry periods, and by topography during wet periods. However, this conceptualization does not explicitly consider plant growth, spatial scale, and soil depth. We investigated the influences of soil, terrain, and crop on soil moisture variation in an agricultural landscape at four spatial scales (entire farm of 19.5 ha, landform unit of 0.3–5.1 ha, plot size of 10 × 10 m, and slope transect of 40 × 2 m), in three depths (0.1, 0.4, and 0.8 m), and during two seasons (crop growing vs. non-growing seasons). The results showed that the controls on soil moisture variability varied by season, soil depth, and the degree of soil-topography variability at a given spatial scale. During the growing season, crop and soil exerted significant influences on soil moisture, especially at the 0.1- and 0.4-m depth; whereas during the non-growing season, terrain attributes showed more significant impacts on soil moisture variation, particularly at the 0.8-m depth where soils were generally wetter. In areas of steeper slope (> 8%), topography dominated over soil properties in controlling soil moisture variation, while in relatively flat areas (
Invariant imbedding and fredholm integral equations with displacement kernels on an infinite interval

Abstract : A new initial-value method is given for solving Fredholm integral equations on an infinite interval. Instead of solving the initial-value problem previously derived for the finite interval case and allowing the interval to tend to infinity, the method makes use of a generalized Ambarzumian integral equation in connection with an initial-value problem to solve the Fredholm equation. A numerical example from radiative transfer indicates that the results obtained by use of the method agree well with previously published results. (Author)
HSP70 and other possible heat shock or oxidative stress proteins are induced in skeletal muscle, heart, and liver during exercise

Exercise causes heat shock (muscle temperatures of up to 45 degrees C, core temperatures of up to 44 degrees C) and oxidative stress (generation of O2- and H2O2), and exercise training promotes mitochondrial biogenesis (2-3-fold increases in muscle mitochondria). The concentrations of at least 15 possible heat shock or oxidative stress proteins (including one with a molecular weight of 70 kDa) were increased, in skeletal muscle, heart, and liver, by exercise. Soleus, plantaris, and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles exhibited differential protein synthetic responses ([3H]leucine incorporation) to heat shock and oxidative stress in vitro but five proteins (particularly a 70 kDa protein and a 106 kDa protein) were common to both stresses. HSP70 mRNA levels were next analyzed by Northern transfer, using a [32P]-labeled HSP70 cDNA probe. HSP70 mRNA levels were increased, in skeletal and cardiac muscle, by exercise and by both heat shock and oxidative stress. Skeletal muscle HSP70 mRNA levels peaked 30-60 min following exercise, and appeared to decline slowly towards control levels by 6 h postexercise. Two distinct HSP70 mRNA species were observed in cardiac muscle; a 2.3 kb mRNA which returned to control levels within 2-3 h postexercise, and a 3.5 kb mRNA species which remained at elevated concentrations for some 6 h postexercise. The induction of HSP70 appears to be a physiological response to the heat shock and oxidative stress of exercise. Exercise hyperthermia may actually cause oxidative stress since we also found that muscle mitochondria undergo progressive uncoupling and increased O2- generation with increasing temperatures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Semiclassical Calculation of Reaction Rate Constants for Homolytical Dissociation Reactions of Interest in Organometallic Vapor-Phase Epitaxy (OMVPE)

A procedure for calculating homolytic dissociation rate constants is reported for modeling organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy (OMVPE) of III−V compounds for all pressure regimes. Reaction rate constants were predicted following a semiclassical approach based on quantum mechanical calculations and transition-state theory. The critical configuration was determined using linear interpolations for the geometry of the intermediate structures, Morse potentials for the intermediate electronic energies, and Hase's relationship for the vibrational frequencies that become annihilated. Low-pressure rate constants were calculated from Rice−Ramsperger−Kassel−Marcus (RRKM) theory following the Troe approach. The calculations were compared with experimental values for the dissociation of one methyl radical from the closed-shell molecules Al(CH3)3, Ga(CH3)3, and In(CH3)3 and the radical molecules Ga(CH3)2 and In(CH3) and for the dissociation of one hydrogen atom from NH3, PH3, and AsH3. A simplified system of reactions f...
‘Bread with freedom and peace …’ rail workers in Malawi, 1954–1975

This article examines the relationship between the struggle for independence and the emergence of labour militancy in Malawi by examining the history of trade unionism among the country's rail workers. It concludes that the emergence of mass nationalism under the leadership of the Malawi Congress Party stimulated a greater proletarian consciousness which heightened the railway workers' expectations and ultimately led them to reject government ideology and strictures. Although the workers were unable to achieve their own ambitions in Banda's repressive Malawi, they nevertheless engaged in activities which were virtually unprecedented in independent Malawi. These incidents presaged the recent labour unrest which has gripped this country and indicate that labourers remain a potent force in any reorganization of Malawi's political environment in the post Banda era.