cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of loess along northern Appalachian, USA major river systems appear driven by differences in meltwater source lithology

Abstract Eastern United States loess mapped by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) mostly occurs near major river systems like the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers. The proximity of loess along major river valleys suggests late-Quaternary glacial meltwater sediments were dominant sediment sources for loess. Based on differing lithologies of meltwater deposits in these systems, we hypothesize that loess in each river system has a unique geochemical and mineralogical signature. To test this hypothesis, we examined pedons developed in loess parent materials, and adjacent to either the Delaware or West-Branch of the Susquehanna River, both of which carried large amounts of Wisconsinan outwash. Soils were analyzed for particle size distribution, clay mineralogy, and coarse and fine silt particle density, mineralogy, and geochemistry. Results show that while the pedons are similar in morphology, substantial differences exist in the pedons' textures, mineralogies, and geochemical compositions. We attribute the differences to parent material differences that stem from lithologically distinct sediment sources for loess from the two river systems. Susquehanna River loess has a higher particle density, and lower abundance of minerals such as Zr, base oxides (such as CaO), and rare earth elements. Discriminant analysis results suggest that developing a “loess fingerprint” for each river system based on major, minor and rare earth elements is possible, and likely to be useful in differentiating sources; however coarse silts may be a more effective fraction (than fine silts) for sediment sourcing, especially if rare earth elements are used.
An unusual case of hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Abstract Asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy (ATD also known as Jeune syndrome) is a very rare disorder with an incidence in the United States of 1 case per 100,000–130,000 live births. Chronic alveolar hypoventilation leading to concurrent hypoxia is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients due to its complications. A 22-year-old male with past medical history of ATD and severe kyphoscoliosis presented with progressively worsening shortness of breath for several days. Past surgical history was significant for multiple reconstructive sternal surgeries, his first surgery was at the age of two. His chest exam was without wheezing and was notable for symmetrically decreased breath sounds. Arterial blood gas showed PH 7.17, PCO2 155, PO2 95 and O2 saturation of 97% on 2 L nasal cannulae. PA and lateral chest xrays showed a long and severely narrow thoracic cavity. 2D echocardiography showed left ventricular ejection fraction of 55% and evidence of severe pulmonary hypertension. CT chest angiography showed severe dilatation of the pulmonary artery in comparison to ascending aorta and significant right ventricular enlargement. Right heart catheterization confirmed these findings with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 61 mmHg. Within several days of hospitalization, patient developed acute worsening of his chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure thought to be due to worsening of pulmonary arterial hypertension with right heart failure. This in return was attributed to underlying ventilatory failure secondary to severe thoracic dystrophy. ATD is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder. Mutations in the IFT80 gene, which encode for an intraflagellar protein, cause this protein to be defective. Clinically, ATD is characterized by a small, narrow chest and variable limb shortness. While ATD is compatible with life, respiratory failure and infections are often fatal during infancy. Patients that survive past the age of 2 have seen respiratory complications resolve due to less pronounced thoracic malformations, but in our case the main cause of worsening pulmonary function was the degree of pulmonary arterial hypertension and right heart failure. Patients with ATD usually develop progressive hypercapnic respiratory failure due to an abnormally small thorax. Surgical options include lateral thoracic expansion or sternal and chest wall reconstruction. However, these surgeries only add a few years to survival without a definitive cure.
Safety First, Robust Dynamic Asset Pricing, and the Cross-Section of Expected Stock Returns

We investigate the implications of investors’ aversion to Knightian uncertainty for the cross-section of average stock returns. First, we derive the fundamental dynamic asset pricing equation in beta regression form of a robust investor concerned with Knightian uncertainty. Second, we provide empirical evidence that learning and uncertainty are both risk dimensions of systematic risk priced in the cross-section of stock returns. However, the risk premium component corresponding to uncertainty dominates the one corresponding to learning as investors’ investment horizon increases. Third, we report that a robust version of the intertemporal CAPM (ICAPM) explains average stock returns better than the four-factor model and the standard ICAPM.
Assembly and Tests of Mechanical Models of the 15-T Nb3Sn Dipole Demonstrator

Within the U.S. magnet development program, Fermilab is developing a 15-T Nb 3 Sn dipole demonstrator. Prior to the construction of the real magnet model, short sections and the whole structure were instrumented with strain gauges and assembled to validate the results of structural analysis, check tooling, and to gain experience with the assembly of the real magnet components. This paper summarizes the lessons learned from these mechanical models and compares the measured data with the finite-element analysis.
From moral ambivalence to differential congruence: Understanding transnational sexuality using cultural schemas:

Through in-depth interviews, this study aimed to show how lesbians and gay men in India may construct their sexuality as a result of being globally connected through accessing “transnational pathwa...
Sonographic Evaluation of a Fetal Right-Sided Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Case Study:

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a condition that occurs during fetal development where the abdominal viscera herniates through a defect in the diaphragm. CDH manifests on either the right ...
Controlling microbial contamination on the farm: an overview.

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of controlling microbial contamination on the farm. Several potential pre-harvest intervention strategies have been identified, but certain factors may limit their on-farm implementation. The chapter presents a summary of the interventions that have been the focus of most research studies. Some interventions may be cost-prohibitive because of the actual cost of the intervention or indirect costs associated with decreases in animal performance or health, required changes in equipment or physical facilities, and labor and time intensiveness. Currently, certain proposed intervention strategies will require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before they can be used commercially in food animals. More information is needed regarding the effectiveness of proposed intervention strategies in decreasing Escherichia coli O157 in cattle and their environment and the effect this reduction in cattle may have on the risk of human illness. Several research needs in the area of pre-harvest food safety exist, including: impact of transportation on fecal shedding; interventions at transportation (clean trucks); hide interventions and cross-contamination of hides; impact of multi-hurdle interventions in the feedlot on reduction of food-borne pathogens; standardization of sampling techniques for fecal sampling and hide sampling; standardization of methods to detect E. coli O157; and development of cost-effective methods to enumerate E. coli O157 in cattle feces.
In Vitro CRISPR/Cas9-Directed Gene Editing to Model LRRK2 G2019S Parkinson’s Disease in Common Marmosets

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2019S is a relatively common mutation, associated with 1–3% of Parkinson’s disease (PD) cases worldwide. G2019S is hypothesized to increase LRRK2 kinase activity. Dopaminergic neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of PD patients carrying LRRK2 G2019S are reported to have several phenotypes compared to wild type controls, including increased activated caspase-3 and reactive oxygen species (ROS), autophagy dysfunction, and simplification of neurites. The common marmoset is envisioned as a candidate nonhuman primate species for comprehensive modeling of genetic mutations. Here, we report our successful use of CRISPR/Cas9 with repair template-mediated homology directed repair to introduce the LRRK2 G2019S mutation, as well as a truncation of the LRRK2 kinase domain, into marmoset embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. We found that, similar to humans, marmoset LRRK2 G2019S resulted in elevated kinase activity. Phenotypic evaluation after dopaminergic differentiation demonstrated LRRK2 G2019S-mediated increased intracellular ROS, decreased neuronal viability, and reduced neurite complexity. Importantly, these phenotypes were not observed in clones with LRRK2 truncation. These results demonstrate the feasibility of inducing monogenic mutations in common marmosets and support the use of this species for generating a novel genetic-based model of PD that expresses physiological levels of LRRK2 G2019S.
Development of a Camera Localization System for Three-Dimensional Digital Image Correlation Camera Triangulation

Advancements in computer-vision methods have made stereophotogrammetry and three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) attractive tools for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). Nonetheless, optical approaches are not always well suited for quantitative measurement on large-scale structures due to the challenging calibration process of the cameras. In this study, a novel multi-sensor system is presented to compute the stereophotogrammetry system’s extrinsic parameters. This system can extend 3D-DIC’s capability and allow for easier calibration and measurement. The proposed system integrates a MEMS-based Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for determining the spatial orientation of the cameras (i.e., roll, pitch, and yaw angles) and a 77 GHz radar sensor for measuring the relative distance of the stereo cameras. The prototype’s effectiveness is evaluated through laboratory and analytical tests. Its accuracy in calculating the extrinsic parameters of a stereophotogrammetry system is demonstrated by direct comparison with data obtained from a traditional calibration. Results show that the multi-sensor system can determine the separation angle between the two cameras with an error below 2% when the comparison is made.
What is the (Undue) Burden for Reversing Precedent? Analysis of June Medical Services v. Russo in a Newly Configured Supreme Court

Supreme Court precedent can change, but the doctrine of stare decisis requires a nonarbitrary reason for a change in precedent. This Note argues that June Medical Services v. Russo does not present a nonarbitrary reason to change the precedent from Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt. If the Court does change this precedent, then it would signal a new era for the Court in which arbitrary reasons, like ideology, play a more significant role in the Court’s decision-making. In June Medical, the U.S. Supreme Court will determine the constitutionality of an abortion law virtually identical to one it held unconstitutional only four years prior. Louisiana’s Act 620, like Texas’s invalidated House Bill 2, requires physicians to obtain admitting privileges at a hospital near where they perform abortions. One difference this time is the state’s challenge to abortion providers’ third-party standing. The third-party standing challenge will likely, and rightfully, fail. The challenge is an audacious attempt that implicates decades of precedent in multiple areas of law. Thus, the Court should apply precedent from Whole Woman’s Health. Further, because June Medical is not materially different than Whole Woman’s Health, the Court should hold Act 620 unconstitutional. However, the other difference this time is the Court’s two new Justices. Both Justices were nominated by Republican President Donald Trump and confirmed narrowly by the Senate in often contentious proceedings. The new configuration of the Court means that if the Court invalidates Act 620, like it should, then the deciding vote would have to be cast by one of the new Justices or by one of the dissenters in Whole Woman’s Health. This rare combination of a newly configured Court confronting a nearly identical question recently answered by a previous Court promises to signal not only the Court’s view of abortion laws but also the Court’s approach to precedent.
The Misclassification of Behavior Analysts: How National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) Fail to Adequately Capture the Scope of the Field

To remain in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, U.S. health care providers are required to register for a National Provider Identifier (NPI). When applying for an NPI, providers must select the Healthcare Provider Taxonomy Code(s) that most closely describes the services they offer. Three distinct taxonomies describe the services offered by behavior analysts. Two of these codes, the Behavior Analyst (103K00000X) and the Assistant Behavior Analyst (106E00000X) taxonomies, specify that the health care provider must hold either a certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board or a state-issued credential to practice behavior analysis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the concordance between health care providers who utilize these behavior-analytic NPI taxonomy classifications and health care providers who meet the credential qualifications specified in the code descriptions. Results indicated that there are potentially more than 20,000 U.S. health care providers who do not hold the behavior analyst credentials specified in the taxonomy descriptions linked to their accounts. The implications of providers being mistakenly classified as credentialed behavior analysts and credentialed assistant behavior analysts in federal data and how the field should respond are discussed.
Tunable chirality and circular dichroism of a topological insulator with C2v symmetry as a function of Rashba and Dresselhaus parameters

Polarization-sensitive devices rely on meta-materials to exhibit varying degrees of absorption of light of a given handedness. The chiral surface states of a topological insulator selectively absorb right- and left-circularly polarized light in the vicinity of the Dirac cone reaching its maximum of unity at the Γ point. In this letter, we show that a band gap open topological insulator with C2v symmetry, which is represented through a combination of Rashba and Dresselhaus Hamiltonians, alters the preferential absorption of left- and right-circularly polarized light allowing a smooth variation of the circular dichroism. This variation in circular dichroism, in a range of positive and negative values, is shown to be a function of the Rashba and Dresselhaus coupling parameters.
Gravitational wave echoes from black holes in massive gravity

Gravitational waves are rapidly becoming a very reliable tool for testing alternative theories of gravity. In particular, features in the gravitational wave emission during the black hole ringdown phase provide a direct probe of the spacetime outside the black hole. In this article, we consider the Schwarzschild--de Sitter black hole solution in ghost-free massive gravity. These black holes generically have scalar hair. We found that a simple coupling between gravitational perturbations and this scalar hair can change the quasinormal ringing of the black hole and, in particular, produce echoes in the emitted gravitational waves. This finding suggests a possible method for testing massive gravity using gravitational wave observations.
Quantified electronic health record (EHR) use by academic surgeons.

Abstract Background The electronic health record has improved medical billing, research, and sharing of patient data, but its clinical use by physicians has been linked to rising physician burnout leading to numerous subjective editorials about the electronic health record inefficiencies and detriment to frontline caregivers. This study aimed to quantify electronic health record use by surgeons. Methods The study is a retrospective review and descriptive analysis of deidentified electronic health record data from September 2016 to June 2017. A binary time series was created for each attending to calculate electronic health record system login times. The primary outcome was the total amount of time a surgeon logged into the electronic health record system during the study period. Results Fifty-one general surgery attendings (31 males, 20 females), spanning 9 specialties spent a mean of 2.0 hours per day and 13.8 hours per week logged into the electronic health record. The top 15% of users were logged in for an average of 4.6 hours per weekday. Sixty-five percent of overall electronic health record use occurred on-site, and 35% was remote. A greater proportion of remote use occurred during nighttime hours and Sundays. Clinic days required the largest amount of electronic health record use time compared with operating room and administrative days. Conclusion General surgery attendings spend a considerable amount of time using the electronic health record. Ultimately, the goal of these quantitative electronic health record results is to correlate with burnout and job satisfaction data to facilitate the implementation of programs to improve efficiency and decrease the burden of charting. Further investigation needs to focus on subgroups who are high electronic health record users to better identify the barriers to efficient electronic health record use.
Mobile cart-based detection of infrared backscatter from hazardous substances at proximal distances

We present a cart-based system based on infrared backscatter imaging spectroscopy (IBIS) for detecting and analyzing trace amounts of hazardous materials as particles on solid substrates. A system comprising four quantum cascade lasers rapidly scans through the mid-LWIR (6 μm – 11 μm) wavelength range to illuminate samples containing target analytes. The infrared backscatter signal is collected as a series of images to form a hyperspectral image cube. Each image is collected at a specified excitation wavelength using a liquid nitrogen cooled MCT focal plane array. The experimental results of this cart-based infrared illumination and backscatter detection are presented. Results compare imaged spectra over a range of different wavelength tuning speeds and different combinations of substrates and analytes. Camera frames are collected while the laser is sweeping through its wavelength range. A single complete analysis can be completed in less than 1 second. In every camera frame, each pixel of the 128x128 pixel camera array produces an individual intensity. These frames are then binned and assigned a discrete wavelength in steps, typically 0.01 μm, to produce a spectrum over 6 – 11 μm for each camera pixel. Target samples are prepared by sieving particles or by a dry transfer technique, to mimic particle size distributions associated with real world threats at trace levels, for explosives and illicit drugs on relevant substrates.
School Finance Reform and Professor Stephen D. Sugarman’s Lasting Legacy

Once, over lunch, I recall a law professor reflecting on scholarly work’s ephemeral nature. Legal academics, he thought, should consider themselves lucky if their articles sparked a discussion that lasted for even a few years. By that standard, Professor Stephen Sugarman’s seminal work on school finance reform, done in collaboration with John Coons and William Clune, must count as a Methuselah of academic concepts. Decades later, this research continues to prompt scholarly debate, legal advocacy, and legislative reform. In this essay, I first describe the origins of the theory of school finance reform. I then turn to the ongoing influence that this approach has had on how schools are funded. I close with some thoughts on the reasons for this idea’s tremendous staying power.
Aortic valve reintervention after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Abstract Background Despite the rapid adoption of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), there are scant data regarding aortic valve reintervention after initial TAVR. Methods Between 2011 and 2019, 1487 patients underwent a TAVR at the University of Michigan. Among these, 24 (1.6%) patients required an aortic valve reintervention. Additionally, 4 patients who received a TAVR at another institution underwent a valve reintervention at our institution. We retrospectively reviewed these 28 patients. Results The median age was 72 years, 36% were female and 86% of implanted TAVR devices were self-expandable. The leading indications for reintervention were structural valve degeneration (39%) and paravalvular leak (36%). The cumulative incidence of aortic valve reintervention was 4.6% at 8 years. Most (71%) were deemed unsuitable for repeat TAVR because of the need for concurrent cardiac procedures (50%), unfavorable anatomy (45%), or endocarditis (10%). TAVR valve explant was associated with frequent concurrent procedures, consisting of aortic repair (35%), mitral repair/replacement (35%), tricuspid repair (25%), and coronary artery bypass graft (20%). Seventy-one percent of aortic procedures were unplanned but proved necessary because of severe adhesion of the devices to the contacting tissue. There were 3 (15%) in-hospital mortalities in the TAVR valve explant group, whereas there was no mortality in the repeat TAVR group. Conclusions Repeat TAVR procedure was frequently not feasible because of unfavorable anatomy and/or the need for concurrent cardiac procedures. Careful assessment of TAVR procedure repeatability should be weighed at the initial TAVR workup especially in younger patients who are expected to require a valve reintervention.
A Moving Horizon State Estimator for Real-Time Stabilization of a Double Inverted Pendulum

A moving horizon estimator is designed in the framework of the proximal point minimization algorithm for linear time invariant systems and convergence results are established in the presence of model and measurement noise. The state estimator is implemented in a nonlinear suboptimal feedback control framework for the real time stabilization of a double inverted pendulum on a cart.
The Land of Opportunity?: Gender in the United States of America

Early studies have laid the foundation for research looking at gender roles, stereotypes, and equality in the United States of America (USA). Investigations into gender roles and stereotypes across the twentieth century provide a baseline for examining current views of women and men. In the USA, and in many other countries, gender inequities can still be seen in male-female participation in politics, education, work, and athletics, despite great increases in opportunities for women in these arenas. Although some inequality still exists, increased opportunities for women have led to more diverse gender roles in the family. Despite conflicting messages from society as to the proper roles of men and women in the family, research has shown that devising a partnership and system that works for each individual family has led to well-functioning couples, no matter what role each parent plays in the family. Along with early studies of adult gender roles and stereotypes, research looking at how children acquire gender knowledge has been carried out in the USA. In addition to siblings, peers also play a role in gender socialization. Children appear to learn gender roles and stereotypes without direct instruction, suggesting that gender-related messages are learned in the context of the family and in social interactions with peers. Research has examined how unhealthy gender-related behavior, such as violence against women and mental health difficulties, differently affect men and women.
S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase is necessary for aldosterone-induced activity of epithelial Na+ channels

The A6 cell line was used to study the role ofS-adenosyl-l-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHHase) in the aldosterone-induced activation of the epithelial Na+channel (ENaC). Because aldosterone increases ...
Tracing multiple attackers with deterministic packet marking (DPM)

The rising threat of cyber attacks, especially distributed denial-of-service (DDoS), and makes the IP traceback problem very relevant to today's Internet security. IP traceback is one of the security problems associated with identifying the source of the attack packets. This work presents a novel approach to IP traceback - deterministic packet marking (DPM). The proposed approach is scalable, simple to implement, and introduces no bandwidth and practically no processing overhead on the network equipment It is capable of tracing thousands of simultaneous attackers during DDoS attack. All of the processing is done at the victim. The traceback process can be performed post-mortem, which allows for tracing the attacks that may not have been noticed initially. The involvement of the Internet service providers (ISP) is very limited, and changes to the infrastructure and operation required to deploy DPM are minimal. DPM performs the traceback without revealing the internal topology of the provider's network, which is a desirable quality of a traceback scheme.
Designing fast and bandwidth efficient protection scheme for WDM optical networks

In this paper, we introduce the Pre-cross-connected Segment First — PXSFirst protection scheme; a new path-based protection schemes for WDM optical networks. The goal of the PXSFirst scheme is to achieve fast recovery, while maximizing bandwidth sharing to improve bandwidth utilization. Similar to pre-cross-connected trails (PXTs) protection scheme, PXSFirst ensures that all backup paths are pre-cross-connected, and hence eliminates the switching configuration delay along backup paths. However, unlike the PXT scheme, where backup paths can only share trails, PXSFirst breaks backup paths into smaller segments by existing end nodes, and hence, increases the possibility of bandwidth sharing. Extensive simulation results for different network topologies and under different traffic patterns show that the proposed scheme has better blocking performance and less bandwidth utilization (an average of 11.0% reduction) compared to existing PXT protection schemes.
Observations of hot DA white dwarfs

Observations of the hottest white dwarfs offer the opportunity to study the earliest stages of degenerate evolution. For those white dwarfs having pure or nearly pure hydrogen photosphere it is now possible with the current generation of high gravity model atmospheres to achieve substantial refinements in the estimation of atmospheric parameters, such as effective temperature, gravity and trace elements abundance. Such improvements can in turm lead to a clearer picture of DA cooling have a significant impact on the interpretation of a growing number of soft X-ray observations of hot DAs, and contribute to the understanding of He and trace metal abundance patterns in hot DAs.
The Errors of Comity: Forum Non-Conveniens Returns to the Second Circuit

What is a federal court expected to do when asked to enforce a foreign arbitral award; what constraints do Conventions impose on its normal course of adjudication? This article examines this question from a narrow standpoint which has been troublesome to the Second Circuit, that is what remains of the inherent power of a common-law court to defer or dismiss litigation of a Convention case on the grounds that it constitutes an “inconvenient” forum.
Canonical correlation analysis

Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is one of the most important tools of multivariate statistical analysis. Its extension to the functional context is not trivial, and in many ways illustrates the differences between multivariate and functional data. One of the most influential contributions has been made by Leurgans et al. (1993) who showed that smoothing is necessary in order to define the functional canonical correlations meaningfully.
Policing the Police: Protecting Civil Remedies in Cases of Retaliatory Arrest

In Howards v. McLaughlin, the Tenth Circuit provided a definitive statement of its treatment of probable cause in retaliatory arrest cases. Part I of this Comment will examine the genesis of Constitutional tort law, the evolution of retaliatory case law, and the current split among the federal circuits as to whether the absence of probable cause is a requirement in retaliation cases. Part II summarizes the facts, procedural history, and opinions of Howards v. McLaughlin. Part III argues that the Tenth Circuit was correct in its holding that existence of probable cause should not be a bar to retaliatory arrest claims, by demonstrating that probable cause does not preclude retaliatory causation. Part III also addresses the current circuit split by distinguishing Howards from the Supreme Court’s holding in Hartman. Lastly, Part IV analyzes the arguments put forth by the petition for certiorari, and gives insight into how the Supreme Court should and will and rule on this issue.
Metabolic Drug-Drug Interactions: Perspective from FDA Medical and Clinical Pharmacology Reviewers

Publisher Summary This chapter introduces with a case report on metabolic drug-drug interactions. These cases are examples of multitude of reports received. Clinically significant drug-drug interactions involving the cytochrome P450 enzymes are frequently reported and the potential for more to occur is substantial. Clinically significant drug-drug interactions may be avoidable by the thorough study and analysis of drug metabolism in the drug development phase. A number of institutions have invested in developing human liver banks to study mostly drug metabolism, to explain retrospectively drug-associated toxicity, or to predict potential drug–drug interactions and prospectively design rational clinical trials. The first step in establishing whether cytochrome P450 enzymes are involved with the formation of an unknown metabolite in human hepatic microsomal system is to conduct two definitive studies: formation of the unknown metabolite in the presence and absence of NADPH and inhibition of the unknown metabolite formation by carbon monoxide. The major contribution of the knowledge of drug metabolism lies in designing clinical studies to evaluate potential drug-drug interactions. In vitro assessment of drug metabolism, in addition to identifying the enzyme, can measure the enzyme kinetics ( K m , V max , K i , etc.). The therapeutic concentrations of the competing drugs, as well as the K m and K i values estimated using the in vitro system, plays a significant role in deciding and designing a rational protocol for the clinical study. In vitro metabolic studies cannot model all possible drug-drug interactions. It is not possible to review and design definitive experiments on all drugs already on the market for labeling revisions. Knowing the pathway involved in biotransformation, it is possible to predict a class of drugs that may have a similar interaction with the unknown drug.
Direct Nucleophilic Acylation by the Low‐Temperature, In Situ Generation of Acyllithium Reagents; α‐Hydroxy Ketones from Ketones: 3‐Hydroxy‐2,2,3‐trimethyloctan‐4‐one from Pinacolone

Direct nucleophilic acylation by the low-temperature, in situ generation of acyllithium reagents; α-hydroxy ketones from ketones: 3-hydroxy-2,2,3-trimethyloctan-4-one from pinacolone product: 3-hydroxy-2,2,3-trimethyloctan-4-one Keywords: addition, to CO; carbonylation; metalation reactions, lithium; assay methods, for butyllithium, with diphenylacetic acid; pentane; pinacolone; tetrahydrofuran; syringe pump
Knowledge Acquisition as an Empirically Based Modelling Activity

When knowledge engineering is consequently looked upon as scientific discovery, certain prescriptions can be derived about how to observe expertise and how to deal with intermediate stages of the modelling process. These prescriptions concern roles played by underlying assumptions, theories and paradigms of cognitive science and their respective implications upon conduction and interpretation of individual experiments, and the language(s) used in the modelling process. Most essentially, scientific discovery is characterized by planned feedback, including theory based identification of contradicting or falsifying evidence. Some of these characteristics clearly differ from principles suggested in KADS for the respective modelling activities.
Performance and Economics of Dairy Cows Fed a Corn Silage-Based Total Mixed Ration or Grazing Annual Ryegrass During Mid to Late Lactation 1

Abstract Economic and performance characteristics of a low cost grazing system based on annual ryegrass vs a total mixed ration (TMR) for cows during mid through late lactation were evaluated. Cattle used in the trial (28 Holstein and 12 Jersey cows) were blocked by parity, lactation number, days in milk, projected mature equivalent milk yield, and current milk yield, and cows were assigned to two treatments in a randomized complete block design. For 10 wk (March through May 1998), cows either received a corn silage-based TMR or grazed annual ryegrass and received no supplemental concentrates. Changes in feed composition, milk yield, milk composition, BW, condition score, and income over feed costs were examined. Cows on Treatment 1 were fed the TMR twice daily and were housed together in a free-stall barn. Cows assigned to grazing were allowed ad libitum access to annual ryegrass in a rotational 12-paddock system. Loose mineral was provided for ad libitum consumption, but no supplemental concentrate was offered. Daily milk production by the TMR cows was consistent, ranging between 22.5 and 27.2 kg per cow throughout the study. By contrast, daily milk production of the grazing cows declined from 26.6 to 15.9 kg per cow as lactation progressed. Ryegrass grazing reduced milk fat content during wk 4 and 8 of the study and increased MUN content during wk 2 but had no effect on milk protein content or somatic cell count. The BW, body condition score, and estimated DMI of grazing cows were less than they were for TMR cows. Milk income for the grazing cows was less than that for the TMR cows throughout the study. However, feed cost for grazing cows was substantially lower than that for the TMR cows. Hence, income over feed cost (IOFC) was greater for grazing cows than for TMR cows in all but the last 2 wk of the study. These results indicated that annual ryegrass grazing was more profitable than feeding a TMR to cows in mid to late lactation. However, grazing cows did lose body condition, which could have a negative effect on milk production in the subsequent lactation.
Message routing schemes in a hypercube machine

The aim of this study is to determine efficient routing schemes for message passing in a hypercube machine. Two different algorithms are considered, namely static routing in which the path of a message is predetermined by the addresses of the source and destination nodes, and dynamic routing where the decision as to the next node in the path is made by the current node on the basis of local information regarding queue lengths. In addition, various different prioritization schemes are compared for both static and dynamic routing. The results show that dynamic routing can be up to twice as efficient as static routing, provided priority is given to messages which have only a few hops to traverse or were transmitted early in the computation sequence.
Factors Influencing Oviposition Behavior in the Cricket, Acheta domesticus

The oviposition behavior of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus L. (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), was found to consist of a stereotyped pattern. Wet sand was a potent stimulus of this stereotyped oviposition behavior in mated females, whereas such behavior was minimal on dry substrates and in virgins. Injection of nanogram amounts of prostaglandin (PG) E2 triggered oviposition behavior in virgin females on wet sand. These findings suggest that PG may act to permit environmental cues to trigger oviposition once insemination has occurred.
Isoflurane alters shivering patterns and reduces maximum shivering intensity.

BackgroundShivering can be characterized by its threshold (triggering core temperature), gain (incremental intensity increase with further core hypothermia), and maximum response intensity. Isoflurane produces a clonic muscular activity that is not a component of normal shivering. To the extent that
An ab Initio and Classical Molecular Dynamics Investigation of the Structural and Vibrational Properties of Talc and Pyrophyllite

The structural and vibrational properties of two uncharged 2:1 phyllosilicates, talc and pyrophyllite, are investigated via ab initio and classical molecular dynamics simulations. The quantum mechanical simulations are based on plane−wave pseudopotential density functional theory (DFT), which is shown to be sufficiently accurate in predicting the clay mineral structural and vibrational properties. The classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, using the CLAYFF force field, faithfully reproduce the crystal structures with relatively simple analytical functions that include primarily nonbonded interactions. The adsorption properties in these clay minerals are strongly dependent upon the disposition of the hydroxyl group in the octahedral sheet. With the assistance of molecular simulation, the relationship between the hydroxyl group vibrational modes and the molecular-scale structure is explored. The talc hydroxyl groups are oriented perpendicular to the ab plane, while the presence of the dioctahedral v...
The three sisters of risk.

A recent book on risk in nanotechnology highlights the different forms of risk studies — analysis, perception and communication — and explores the relationships that exist between them. Chris Toumey reports.
Human fibronectin and MMP-2 collagen binding domains compete for collagen binding sites and modify cellular activation of MMP-2.

The region of fibronectin (FN) surrounding the two type II modules of FN binds type I collagen. However, little is known about interactions of this collagen binding domain with other collagen types or extracellular matrix molecules. Among several expressed recombinant (r) human FN fragments from the collagen binding region of FN, only rI6-I7, which included the two type II modules and both flanking type I modules, bound any of several tested collagens. The rI6-I7 interacted specifically with both native and denatured forms of types I and III collagen as well as denatured types II, IV, V and X collagen with apparent K(d) values of 0.2-3.7 x 10(-7) M. Reduction with DTT disrupted the binding to gelatin verifying the functional requirement for intact disulfide bonds. The FN fragments showed a weak, but not physiologically important, binding to heparin, and did not bind elastin or laminin. The broad, but selective range of ligand interactions by rI6-I7 mirrored our prior observations for the collagen binding domain (rCBD) from matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) [J. Biol. Chem. 270 (1995) 11555]. Subsequent experiments showed competition between rI6-I7 and rCBD for binding to gelatin indicating that their binding sites on this extracellular matrix molecule are identical or closely positioned. Two collagen binding domain fragments supported cell attachment by a beta1-integrin-dependent mechanism although neither protein contains an Arg-Gly-Asp recognition sequence. Furthermore, activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was greatly reduced for HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells cultured on either of the fibronectin fragments compared to full-length FN. These observations imply that the biological activities of FN in the extracellular matrix may involve interactions with a broad range of collagen types, and that exposure to pathologically-generated FN fragments may substantially alter cell behavior and regulation.
Reply by Author to R. A. Calico and L. Meirovitch

where n is an integer related to the number of admissible functions used in the series representing the elastic displacements. Note that the stability criteria derived in Ref. 3 are more general than those of Ref. 1, and reduce to those of Ref. 1 if the radial booms are omitted. Dong and Schlack seem to attach considerable importance to infinite series as opposed to finite series. Whether a series is infinite or finite should not be overemphasized, however, as it is seldom necessary to take a large number of terms in the series. Indeed, for the mathematical model in question, Ref. 2 shows that the inclusion of a second mode in the series have virtually no effect on the stability regions, a fact also confirmed by Ref. 1. It is safe to say that in general an infinite series is never summed up for the purpose of producing stability criteria by the assumed modes method, and practical computational considerations demand series truncation at some point.
Spectra and structure of sterically hindered lithium phenoxide

Abstract It has been shown from molecular weight determination and infrared spectra that lithium 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-cresoxide-THF adduct is dimeri in benzene solution as well as in the crystalline state whereas lithium 2,6-dimethylphenoxide is dimeric in dioxane solution but polymeric in the cyrstalline state. Probable structures of the dimeric species have been discussed based on infrared and NMR spectra.
Chlorate transport in isolated tonoplast vesicles from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) storage tissue

Abstract There is strong evidence that 36 ClO 3 − can serve as a suitable radiotracer for nitrate in transport experiments with plant tissue. In this study, 36 ClO 3 − was used to investigate the mechanism of nitrate influx and efflux in sealed tonoplast membrane vesicles isolated from red beet ( Beta vulgaris L. cv. Detroit Dark Red) storage tissue. Uptake of 36 ClO 3 − into red beet tonoplast vesicles was ATP-dependent, inhibited by carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and demonstrated saturation kinetics with a K m of about 5 mM. While ATP-driven 36 ClO 3 − uptake was inhibited by the collapse of the membrane electrical potential (ΔΨ) and an artificially imposed pH gradient could not drive radiolabel uptake, radiolabel uptake could be driven by an artificially imposed, positive-interior ΔΨ. These results suggest that ATP-driven 36 ClO 3 − influx at the tonoplast may be mediated by a uniport system which responds to the positive interior membrane potential. When 36 ClO 3 − was pre-loaded into the vesicles and radiolabel efflux was examined, no evidence could be found for the existence of an ATP-driven H + / 36 ClO 3 − symport for efflux. Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of using 36 ClO 3 − as a radiotracer with isolated membrane vesicles and sets the stage for further research on the mechanism of NO 3 − transport systems.
Scour effects on the response of laterally loaded piles considering stress history of sand

Abstract Scour is the removal of soils around pile foundations of bridges or offshore platforms, resulting in reduced capacity of the foundations in either lateral or vertical direction. A common way to analyze the scour-affected pile foundations is to remove the scoured soil layers while keeping the properties of the remaining soil unchanged. However, this approach ignores the fact that the remaining soil experiences different stress histories before and after scour, which can be expected to change the properties of the remaining soil. As a result, the resistance of the remaining soil provided to the pile foundation may be different. The present study focused on the response of laterally loaded pile foundations in sand under scour considering the stress history of the remaining sand. Relative density and coefficient of lateral earth pressure of the sand were evaluated when it changed from a normally consolidated (NC) soil to an over-consolidated (OC) soil due to scour. The relative density was then used to estimate other properties of sand, e.g., unit weight, friction angle, and modulus of subgrade reaction of the sand based on their correlation. The lateral load–deflection ( p – y ) curve for a pile in sand was modified and input into the computer software, LPILE Plus V 5.0, to account for the effect of the stress history induced by scour. A field test was referenced as an example to compare the calculated results from the modified p – y curves with those from the initially developed p – y curves for the tested sand. The results showed that the change in the over-consolidation ratio (OCR) resulted in the most significant effect on the lateral soil resistance among all the effects due to the changes in the properties of the remaining sand. The sand changing from an NC to OC state increased the lateral soil resistance to the pile foundation. Ignoring the stress history would result in a conservative design of laterally loaded piles under scour.
Systolic fluttering of the noncoronary cusp of the aortic valve and the posterior wall of the aortic root--a sign of mitral regurgitation due to dysfunction of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve.

Ten consecutive patients with severe isolated mitral regurgitation were studied. All the patients were evaluated by physical examination, EKG, chest X-ray, M-mode echocardiogram, and left ventricular angiogram. In eight patients a systolic murmur of mitral regurgitation radiated to the left parasternal and aortic areas. All of these patients demonstrated fluttering of the noncoronary cusp of the aortic valve and the posterior wall of the aortic root. Two patients in whom the systolic murmur of mitral regurgitation did not radiate to left parasternal and aortic areas, did not show fluttering of the noncoronary cusp and the posterior aortic wall. These patients had a classical murmur of mitral regurgitation that radiated to the left axilla. A review of 120 normal echocardiograms revealed fluttering of the right coronary cusp in three cases. None of these echocardiograms demonstrated fluttering of the noncoronary cusp or the posterior wall of aorta. The findings lead us to conclude that the presence of systolic fluttering of the noncoronary cusp and the posterior wall of the aorta is suggestive of mitral regurgitation due to dysfunction of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. Isolated fluttering of the right coronary cusp is a nonspecific finding.
James R. Rice Receives 2012 Walter H. Bucher Medal: Citation

James R. Rice was awarded the 2012 Walter H. Bucher Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 5 December 2012 in San Francisco, Calif. The medal is for “original contributions to the basic knowledge of the crust and lithosphere”.
Magnetic field induced phases of (TMTSF)2CLO4

Abstract We have investigated the phase diagram and the nature of the states for (TMTSF) 2 ClO 4 in high magnetic fields and at low temperatures. The measurements performed are magnetization, magneto-resistance and Hall Effect. In experiments to 8 milliKelvin (mK) we have found that the onset field remains virtually unchanged from its 50 mK value of ∼ 3 Tesla. For a true two dimensional electron system the onset should continue to decrease to zero field at zero temperature. Our result is consistent with a c axis bandwidth of ∼ 10K if the density wave nests transversely along the c direction. Experiments at 0.5K in the 30 Tesla hybrid magnet at the National Magnet Lab show additional structure at ∼ 15 Tesla and at higher fields indicating the complexity of the electron spectrum in the magnetic field. There appears to be a transition from the semi-metallic to the semiconducting state at ∼ 25 Tesla.