cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lunar Anorthosites: Rare-Earth and Other Elemental Abundances

Elemental abundances of major (Ti, Al, Fe, and Ca), minor (Na, Mn, and Cr), and trace elements [14 rare-earth elements (REE), Y, In, Cd, Rb, Cs, Ba, Co, and Sc] in lunar anorthosites separated from Apollo 11 sample 10085 coarse fines have been determined by means of instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analysis. The REE distribution pattern of lunar anorthosites, relative to ordinary chondrites, has a positive Eu anomaly. On the assumption that (i) the lunar composition is similar to that of ordinary chondritic meteorites low in total Fe ( approximately 13 percent); (ii) lunar anorthosites are derived from highland cratering events and are representative of the highlands; and (iii) the moon differentiated into olivine, hypersthene, and basaltic and anorthositic phases, and plagioclase crysstallization began after approximately 93 percent solidification, then mass balance calculations yield approximately 30-kilometer and approximately 10-kilometer thicknesses for the lunar highlands for the melting and chemical differentiation of the entire moon and of the upper 200 kilometers, respectively. Corresponding thicknesses of the basaltic basement rocks were approximately 5 kilometers and approximately 2 kilometers, respectively. Alternatively, if the anorthosites of this study are representative of the highlands and the onset of plagioclase crystallization occurred after approximately 50 percent solidification of the initially melted moon, calculations with REE and Ba partition coefficients suggest that the REE and Ba abundances in the primeval moon were similar to those observed in basaltic achondrites.
“(r) You Saying Yes to the Dress?” Rhoticity on a Bridal Reality Television Show

This paper investigates variation in rhoticity on the reality television show Say Yes to the Dress. The study examines the speech of five bridal consultants working at Kleinfeld Bridal in Manhattan...
On the Measurement of Alliteration in Poetry

This work is a preliminary study of methods to quantify alliteration. Ten pieces made up of poetry and prose (literary and non-literary) were used to create test sets. Three forms of each test set were examined: texts transcribed in IPA notational equivalent, in Chomsky and Halle features, and in Fromkin and Rodman features. Tests included the deletion of vowels, the weighting of the initial sounds, and the weighting of types according to their frequency in the population of the set. The various configurations were analyzed using a gap-recurrence method. Rankings were obtained by combining measures both of high frequency and of clustering properties. The resulting rankings compare not unfavorably with an intuitive ranking.
A portable modular optical sensor capable of measuring complex multi-axis strain fields

This paper presents a portable optical sensor capable of measuring complex multi-axis strain fields without the need for special surface preparation or stringent sensor-to-surface alignment. The sensor consists of three to four electronic speckle photography (ESP) modules. The design of each modular element is based on a previously developed 5-axis (five degree of freedom) surface displacement measurement technique, and is able to measure two dimensional in-plane surface movement, unaffected by other degrees of freedom (displacement and rotation) movement. Identical modular strain elements are arranged in a Rosette grid layout so that accurate and robust multi-axis surface strain measurement can be achieved. Experiments were conducted to demonstrate the multi-axis strain field measurement capability of this optical sensor by using a test bed that provided a known directional planar strain field, and excellent results were obtained. In particular, experiments have shown that the principle strain can be accurately extracted independent of the orientation of the device. This portable optical sensor will allow precise non-contact measurement of practical complex strain fields such as those encountered in bridge abutments, and portions of beams near critical infrastructure support locations; in other words, wherever plane strains depart from uni-axial behavior. Its unique hand-held portable capability offers distinct advantages over laboratory strain measurement setups, allowing accurate robust non-contact measurements to be achieved even in a harsh field application environment.
Longitudinally preserved psychomotor performance in long-term asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals

Background: Recent case reports have suggested that some asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals can develop CNS disturbances despite intact immunologic functioning and long-term suppression of plasma HIV concentrations to undetectable levels. This possibility has not yet been systematically studied longitudinally. Methods: Using longitudinal data from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, we investigated neuropsychological performance in long-term asymptomatic HIV-infected men who have sex with men. Performance over a 5-year period on the Symbol Digit Modalities test and the Trail Making Tests were compared in three HIV-positive asymptomatic groups [defined as 1) highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treated with undetectable viral loads (n = 83), 2) AIDS-free for more than 15 years without HAART (n = 29), and 3) absence of clinical AIDS or CD4 + lymphocyte count below 200 cells/μL at the beginning and end of the study period (n = 233)] and in HIV-negative controls (n = 237). Data were analyzed using linear mixed models and proportional odds logistic regression modeling with generalized estimating equations. Results: There was no evidence of performance differences or performance declines over the 5-year period of study in any of the three long-term asymptomatic groups as compared with the HIV-negative group in the Symbol Digit Modalities test or the Trail Making Tests. Performance decrements were, however, observed with increasing age in each of the tests administered, demonstrating that performance declines could be detected by these methods. Conclusions: Regardless of how long-term asymptomatic status was defined immunologically or virologically, neuropsychological test performances remained stable. These findings suggest that psychomotor speed is preserved over many years in HIV-infected individuals with controlled HIV viremia.
Does problem orientation involve more than generalized self-efficacy? Predicting psychological and physical functioning in college students

This study sought to determine the extent to which generalized self-efficacy and problem orientation overlap as predictors of psychological and physical functioning (e.g., life satisfaction, vulnerability to illness) in a sample of 192 college students. Results of correlational analyses indicated that generalized self-efficacy and problem orientation are related, but are not redundant with each other. Moreover, results of conducting hierarchical regression analyses indicated that although generalized self-efficacy is an important predictor of psychological and physical functioning, problem orientation, specifically, negative problem orientation added incremental validity in predicting additional unique variance in measures of functioning. Implications of the present findings are discussed.
Establishment of an adult rat fibroblast cell line for studies of collagenase regulation.

Several dermal fibroblast lines have been established from explants taken from adult rats. The cells have been cultured for 2 yr and possess stable and well-defined growth characteristics through subculture 18. The cells are readily stored in liquid nitrogen with good viability after thawing. Collagenase activity secreted into the culture medium of the cells at different periods of growth has been examined. There is an 88% drop in total enzyme activity present in the medium between 4 and 14 d of culture, when the cells were plated to reach confluence at Day 8 to 10. A more pronounced fall is noted at earlier times when the cells are plated at a higher density. The correlation between DNA content of the cell monolayer and enzyme activity was −0.895, indicating a possible relationship between the growth of cells and collagenase release.
Pattern formation and determination in the antenna of the homoeotic mutant Antennapedia of Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract The development of the antenna in the antennal-leg homoeotic mutant Antennapedia (Antp R ) was investigated using somatic crossing-over to mark clones of cells in Antp R antennal appendages. Antp R antennae ranged from a nearly normal antenna to a nearly normal leg. The arrangement of clones of marked bristles and cuticle in the more antennalike antennae was similar to the wild type antenna, and that of the leglike antennae was similar to the wild-type leg. The contiguity of clones argued against extensive individual cell migration. The regions occupied by homoeotic leg varied considerably between different Antp R antennae. Observation of Antp R antennae in these phenotypic mosaics showed that specific leg parts replaced specific antennal parts. Even small groups of leg sensilla appeared only at precise locations in the antenna. These results suggest that homoeotic leg cells and antennal cells can both respond to the same positional information or prepattern. An analysis of clone size provided estimates for cell number in the Antp R antenna. It was found that cell numbers in the wild-type and Antp R antennae are about the same until the third instar, when the Antp R cells start dividing more rapidly than wild type. Previous work had shown that clonal inheritance of a commitment for homoeotic leg also did not occur prior to the early third instar. It is suggested that determination for homoeotic leg occurs in the early third instar, and that thereafter this commitment is inherited by the progeny of the determined cells. The increase in growth rate is probably due to a faster growth rate in cells with a leg commitment than in cells with an antennal commitment. The results suggest that, once initiated, determination may be of two types—a clonally inherited determination (for example, to be homoeotic leg) and an environmental determination (for example, to be a specific part of a homoeotic leg). Clonal inheritance of determination in normal embryonic development and in sex determination in intersexes is discussed.
Organic osmolytes betaine, sorbitol and inositol are potent inhibitors of erythrocyte membrane ATPases.

Abstract Organic osmolytes are used in animal and plant cells to adapt to hyper- and hypoosmolar stress. We used our RBC-membrane model to investigate the effects of the osmolytes betaine, sorbitol and myo-inositol on Na+/K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase and calmodulin-stimulated Ca2+-ATPase (CaM). Our results show that betaine inhibited ATPases by more than 61%: Na+/K+-ATPase (75 ± 5.9 vs 27 ± 2.2), Ca2+-ATPase (236 ± 18.9 vs 62 ± 4.9), and CaM (450 ± 18 vs 174 ± 6.9) (μM pi/min/mg protein, control (0 μM betaine) vs 100 μmol/L betaine). Sorbitol (100 μmol/L) inhibited the Ca2+-ATPases by 41% (126 ± 7.6 vs 74 ± 4.4) and CaM by 42% (253 ± 17.7 vs 147 ± 10.3). Inositol (100 μmol/L) inhibited Na+/K+-ATPase strongest (37 ± 1.9 vs 20 ± 1.0; 47% inhibition) while it showed a lesser effect on the Ca2+-ATPases (136 ± 6.8 vs 102 ± 5.1; 25% inhibition). All osmolytes inhibited RBC membrane ATPases at concentrations above 50 μmol/L, which corresponds to high normal physiologic range for organic osmolytes in serum. Furthermore, the presence of osmolytes (250 μmol/L) decreased hypoosmotic stress induced hemolysis by 42%. Together these data indicate an important regulatory role of organic osmolytes on human RBC membrane ATPases and a protective function of osmolytes in RBCs against hypoosmotic stress.
The Intra‐erythrocytic Development of Babesiosoma stableri n. sp. in Rana pipiens pipiens*

The occurrence of Babesiosoma stableri n. sp. in the erythrocytes of Rana pipiens pipiens extends the host range of babesiosomids to the Salientia. The proposed sequence of developmental stages includes the following events: (1) two successive nuclear divisions of the uninucleate trophozoite produce a tetranucleate organism, (2) cytoplasmic cleavage initiated at each pole of the tetranucleate parasite results in four daughter individuals arranged in a cross-form, (3) the four merozoites originating from the cruciform schizont separate without the formation of a residual mass of cytoplasm, (4) gametocytes which presumably arise from differentiated merozoites do not exhibit dimorphism. The morphology and characteristics of the parasite's development were not altered when B. stableri was experimentally transferred to: R. p. sphenocephala, Rana catesbeiana, Bufo americanus, Bufo woodhousei fowleri, and Bufo terrestris. Experimental infections, with few exceptions, exhibited a peak parasitemia followed by a decline in the number of babesiosomids. Infections persisted at a low level or disappeared during the period of study.
How can polygenic inheritance be used in population screening for common diseases

Advances in genomics have near-term impact on diagnosis and management of monogenic disorders. For common complex diseases, the use of genomic information from multiple loci (polygenic model) is generally not useful for diagnosis and individual prediction. In principle, the polygenic model could be used along with other risk factors in stratified population screening to target interventions. For example, compared to age-based criterion for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer screening, adding polygenic risk and family history holds promise for more efficient screening with earlier start and/or increased frequency of screening for segments of the population at higher absolute risk than an established screening threshold; and later start and/or decreased frequency of screening for segments of the population at lower risks. This approach, while promising, faces formidable challenges for building its evidence base and for its implementation in practice. Currently, it is unclear whether or not polygenic risk can contribute enough discrimination to make stratified screening worthwhile. Empirical data are lacking on population-based age-specific absolute risks combining genetic and non-genetic factors, on impact of polygenic risk genes on disease natural history, as well as information on comparative balance of benefits and harms of stratified interventions. Implementation challenges include difficulties in integration of this information in the current health-care system in the United States, the setting of appropriate risk thresholds, and ethical, legal, and social issues. In an era of direct-to-consumer availability of personal genomic information, the public health and health-care systems need to prepare for an evidence-based integration of this information into population screening.
A note on a quantum theory of surface enhanced Raman scattering

A ‘coupled mode’ set of eigenfunctions is obtained for investigations of the quantum theory of surface enhanced Raman scattering by a physiadsorbed molecule on a metal surface. The enhancement ratio R(ω) for scattering cross-section of adsorbed to free molecules is calculated. The theory is applied to the pyridine on silver system. In the classical limit, using a geometry with flat silver surface, the ‘image enhancement’ model is recovered, and a large enhancement can be forced if unrealistic values of parameters are used. In the correct quantum theory a sharply peaked enhancement of about 10−3 of that reported can be obtained at laser energy about 3.7 eV. The conventional image model is thus not supported by the quantum theory. Surface roughness needs to be incorporated into this coupled mode theory.
Multi-Detector Integrated Fission Counter Array

A multi-chamber fission array has been designed, fabricated, and tested with integrated and condensed electronic circuitry. The intention was to develop an array of over 100 channels of detectors able to cover the high power range of TREAT transients in conjunction with the fast neutron hodoscope. The array has been developed through a prototype stage consisting of 31 possible channels. A wide variety of operating conditions have been tested, including choice of fissile isotope, coating thickness, gas filling, plate spacing, high voltage, and electronic circuitry. The configuration tested at TREAT consisted of ten active channels incorporated in a doubly contained system. Miniaturized electronic circuits are appended almost directly to the parallel plates of the fission counters. Cost and space limitations were major factors in the design.
A stability criterion for explicit boundary value Runge-Kutta methods

Abstract A function characterizing the stability of explicit boundary value Runge-Kutta methods for the solution of ordinary differential equations is introduced. It can be used to design methods with better stability, and also in the selection of mesh points. It is based on a generalization of the algebraic stability criterion. Numerical examples demonstrating the use of the proposed function are given.
Dual Roles of Dopamine in Food and Drug Seeking: The Drive-Reward Paradox

The question of whether (or to what degree) obesity reflects addiction to high-energy foods often narrows to the question of whether the overeating of these foods causes the same long-term neuroadaptations as are identified with the late stages of addiction. Of equal or perhaps greater interest is the question of whether common brain mechanisms mediate the acquisition and development of eating and drug-taking habits. The earliest evidence on this question is rooted in early studies of brain stimulation reward. Lateral hypothalamic electrical stimulation can be reinforcing in some conditions and can motivate feeding in others. That stimulation of the same brain region should be both reinforcing and drive inducing is paradoxical; why should an animal work to induce a drive-like state such as hunger? This is known as the drive-reward paradox. Insights into the substrates of the drive-reward paradox suggest an answer to the controversial question of whether the dopamine system—a system downstream from the stimulated fibers of the lateral hypothalamus—is more critically involved in wanting or in liking of various rewards including food and addictive drugs. That the same brain circuitry is implicated in the motivation for and the reinforcement by both food and addictive drugs extends the argument for a common mechanism underlying compulsive overeating and compulsive drug taking.
Aluminum inhibits hemoglobin synthesis but enhances iron uptake in friend erythroleukemia cells

Aluminum inhibits hemoglobin synthesis but enhances iron uptake in Friend erythroleukemia cells. Aluminum (Al) overload in dialysis patients and experimental animals is associated with the development of anemia. However, the precise mechanisms of erythrocyte Al uptake and toxicity are poorly understood. Al accumulation, hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis and cell growth were evaluated in dimethysulfoxide (DMSO)-induced Friend erythroleukemia cells (FEC), a model system for erythroid differentiation. FEC were grown in media containing either Al citrate, transferrin-aluminum (Tf-Al), Tf or no additions. Al accumulation occurring only in cells grown in Tf-Al containing media was detected at 24 hours and increased linearly up to 96 hours after induction. By 96 hours, 200 ± 36 µg Al/liter lysed cells were detected in Tf-Al grown cells versus 5 ± 1 µg Al/liter lysed cells in cells grown in Al citrate (P 300 µg/ml) did not further inhibit Hb synthesis or cell growth. Iron (Fe) and Tf uptake were increased in Al loaded FEC compared to control cells. The increased Tf uptake was probably the result of increased Tf receptor expression on FEC since Tf cell cycling time was unchanged. These data indicate that Al utilizes the Tf uptake pathway for entry into erythrocyte precursors. Al is toxic at sites distal to Fe uptake, possibly at the heme and/or globin synthetic pathways, resulting in decreased Hb synthesis and cell growth.
C-terminal truncation affects kinetic properties of GluR1 receptors.

Abstract GluR1flop receptors in which the C-terminal 52 amino acids had been recombinantly removed were characterized with whole-cell recording and binding assays. Compared to wildtype GluR1, truncated receptors showed faster desensitization and deactivation and they recovered more slowly from desensitization. The EC 50 for glutamate was increased 2-fold. In binding tests, K D s for [ 3 H]fluorowillardiine were 1.5 times larger for truncated receptors. According to receptor simulations, most differences can be explained if the C-terminal domain is assumed to stabilize the ligand-bound closed and open states. The effects on response waveforms are different from those caused by phosphorylation, suggesting that the C-terminus influences receptor function in multiple ways. Truncated forms of GluR1 identical or similar to the one examined here may also be generated by calcium-activated proteases during intense synaptic activity. The lowered affinity and faster inactivation of these receptors suggests that their presence does not represent a risk for neuronal viability.
Constrained cavity growth models of longitudinal creep deformation of oxide dispersion strengthened alloys

Two models of constrained cavity growth are developed to describe the long-term longitudinal creep behavior of nickel based oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys. For both models the rupture time is taken as the time for a transverse grain boundary to cavitate fully. A diffusive cavity growth law is assumed to govern cavitation. The applicability of the respective models is determined by the particular grain morphology achieved by thermal-mechanical processing. The first model assumes that longitudinal grain boundaries are unable to slide; hence displacements due to cavitation must be matched by displacements due to dislocation creep in adjoining grains. This model predicts a low stress exponent at the transition from single crystal to cavitation creep behavior, and higher stress exponents at stresses below this transition. Good agreement is found between the model predictions and creep data for MA 754 at 1000 and 1093 °C. A second model considers a grain morphology wherein longitudinal grain boundaries are able to slide by means of deformation of pockets of fine grains. Cavitation of transverse grain boundaries is thus controlled by grain boundary sliding. This model predicts a stress exponent of 1 at low stresses, and serves as an upper bound for the creep rate when a duplex grain morphology is present. Model predictions are in good agreement with creep data for a heat of MA 754 with a duplex grain morphology.
Global analysis of protein expression in yeast

The availability of complete genomic sequences and technologies that allow comprehensive analysis of global expression profiles of messenger RNA have greatly expanded our ability to monitor the internal state of a cell. Yet biological systems ultimately need to be explained in terms of the activity, regulation and modification of proteins--and the ubiquitous occurrence of post-transcriptional regulation makes mRNA an imperfect proxy for such information. To facilitate global protein analyses, we have created a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fusion library where each open reading frame is tagged with a high-affinity epitope and expressed from its natural chromosomal location. Through immunodetection of the common tag, we obtain a census of proteins expressed during log-phase growth and measurements of their absolute levels. We find that about 80% of the proteome is expressed during normal growth conditions, and, using additional sequence information, we systematically identify misannotated genes. The abundance of proteins ranges from fewer than 50 to more than 10(6) molecules per cell. Many of these molecules, including essential proteins and most transcription factors, are present at levels that are not readily detectable by other proteomic techniques nor predictable by mRNA levels or codon bias measurements.
A potential role for B cells in suppressed immune responses in cord blood transplant recipients

We evaluated immune reconstitution in 58 adults who received hematopoietic SCTs from allogeneic siblings (allosib), matched unrelated donors (MUD) or cord blood (CB) at 90-day intervals for 1 year post transplant. CB recipients had a higher incidence of infections in the first 100 days compared with allosib and MUD recipients. The number of circulating T cells was lower in CB recipients compared with MUD recipients at 90 days and compared with allosib recipients at 180 days. Spectratype analysis of the TCR Vβ complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of patient lymphocytes revealed that the TCR repertoire remained poorly diversified even at 360 days in nearly all patients. In contrast, the number of circulating B cells was significantly elevated in CB recipients compared with allosib recipients throughout the first year post transplant and compared with MUD recipients at 9–12 months. Spectratype analysis of the B-cell receptor VH CDR3 showed that the B-cell repertoire was diversified in most patients by 90 days. CD5pos B cells from assayed CB recipients expressed intracellular IL-10 early post transplant. Our data suggest that B cells, in addition to T cells, may have a role in impaired immune responses in CB transplant patients.
A discourse-pragmatic analysis of the Committal -ci in Korean: A synthetic approach to the form-meaning relation☆

Abstract In the study of the relation between form and meaning, there are two opposing approaches: a semantically-oriented approach that seeks a context-free meaning of a given linguistic form, and a pragmatically-oriented approach that attempts to identify meanings used in actual communication. Through the discourse-pragmatic anaylsis of a sentence-terminal suffix - ci in Korean, I will showcase a synthetic approach, by which one should identify all the contextual meanings as well as a more inclusive meaning that may underlie those contextual meanings, and find the contextual factors by which each contextual meaning is embodied in a given context. The suffix - ci has been associated with a number of meanings in the literature: e.g., expressing the speaker's supposition, asking for confirmation, suggestion, etc. All these meanings are in fact contextual meanings occurring in specific contexts, e.g., different speech act contexts (statement, question, or command), and with different degrees of politeness and caution the speaker exhibits. The invariant meaning underlying these contextual meanings is that the speaker believes in the conveyed message, a meaning I shall term ‘committal’. The proposed meaning accounts not only for those meanings mentioned above, but also for the extended uses of the suffix in some negative constructions and their interactional functions.
Determination of the phytotoxicity of barium in leach-field disposal of gas well brines

A study was conducted to determine the effect of barium on yield and elemental composition of plants growing near natural gas wells. Brines containing potentially phytotoxic concentrations of barium are periodically released into leach-fields at these wells. Data on plant yield, soil and plant Ba, Ca, Mg, Na, and K concentrations, and soil pH were collected from high-barium well sites, and from greenhouse experiments using simulated brines. Barium had no detectable effect upon plant yield, and contributed only to variations in its own concentration in plants studied. Barium also exhibited biodiminution, in contrast to all other elements studied. Sodium was implicated at the major cause of phytotoxicity at gas well leach-fields. Due to interference of potassium uptake by soidum, the soil sodium/potassium ratio was found to be closely correlated with plant yield fluctuations.
Computer-Enhanced Demonstrations of the Fitts' Tapping Task

As human factors (HF) educators, we often struggle to find good examples or inexpensive tools that allow us to demonstrate basic ergonomic principles. The following computer software allows us to HF educators to demonstrate a variety of basic cognitive not only in a lecture of laboratory environment but also at the convenience of the student who owns a personal computer. Specifically this demonstration will present the Fitts' Tapping Task with the Index of Difficulty factor using an eye-hand coordination task but the variation of performing the movements with a mouse.
Biosynthesis of Cell Envelope-Associated Phenolic Glycolipids in Mycobacterium marinum

Phenolic glycolipids (PGLs) are polyketide synthase-derived glycolipids unique to pathogenic mycobacteria. PGLs are found in several clinically relevant species, including various Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, Mycobacterium leprae, and several nontuberculous mycobacterial pathogens, such as M. marinum. Multiple lines of investigation implicate PGLs in virulence, thus underscoring the relevance of a deep understanding of PGL biosynthesis. We report mutational and biochemical studies that interrogate the mechanism by which PGL biosynthetic intermediates (p-hydroxyphenylalkanoates) synthesized by the iterative polyketide synthase Pks15/1 are transferred to the noniterative polyketide synthase PpsA for acyl chain extension in M. marinum. Our findings support a model in which the transfer of the intermediates is dependent on a p-hydroxyphenylalkanoyl-AMP ligase (FadD29) acting as an intermediary between the iterative and the noniterative synthase systems. Our results also establish the p-hydroxyphenylalkanoate extension ability of PpsA, the first-acting enzyme of a multisubunit noniterative polyketide synthase system. Notably, this noniterative system is also loaded with fatty acids by a specific fatty acyl-AMP ligase (FadD26) for biosynthesis of phthiocerol dimycocerosates (PDIMs), which are nonglycosylated lipids structurally related to PGLs. To our knowledge, the partially overlapping PGL and PDIM biosynthetic pathways provide the first example of two distinct, pathway-dedicated acyl-AMP ligases loading the same type I polyketide synthase system with two alternate starter units to produce two structurally different families of metabolites. The studies reported here advance our understanding of the biosynthesis of an important group of mycobacterial glycolipids.
Adding rigor to stroke risk prediction in atrial fibrillation.

Guidelines recommend oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) on the basis of ischemic stroke risk. Guidelines from both the United States (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/Heart Rhythm Society [AHA/ACC/HRS]) [(1)][1] and from Europe (
A disulfide bond is required for functional assembly of NCX1 from complementary fragments.

Abstract The cardiac Na + –Ca 2+ exchanger consists of a single polypeptide with two transmembrane segment (TMS) clusters separated by a large intracellular loop between TMS5 and TMS6 (Nicoll et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 910–917; Iwamoto et al. (1999) FEBS Lett. 446, 264–268). A “split” exchanger can be expressed by dividing the exchanger cDNA into two fragments so that the NH 2 - and CO 2 H-terminal portions of the protein are expressed as separate polypeptides in HEK293 cells. Expression of partial exchanger molecules did not result in detectable exchanger activity. Cells coexpressing both portions of the exchanger, however, displayed between 30 and 50% of the activity of the intact wild-type exchanger. The full-length exchanger contains a disulfide bond between residues 14 or 20 and 792. We examined the role of this disulfide bond in the split exchanger by mutagenesis and expression studies. Our results indicate that the function of the exchanger requires both TMS clusters and that the C(14 or 20)/C792 disulfide bond is essential for expression of active exchangers from half molecules.
Performance of Sunshine Bass Fed Soybean-Meal-Based Diets Supplemented with Different Methionine Compounds

Abstract Practical diets that contain high levels of plant proteins often require supplementation with methionine to satisfy the total sulfur amino acid requirements of animals. The present study was designed to evaluate L-methionine, DL-methionine, N-acetyl-DL-methionine (acetylmethionine), and DL-methionine hydroxy analog (MHA) as supplements in soybean-meal-based diets for sunshine bass, the hybrid of white bass Morone chrysops ♀ × striped bass M. saxatilis ♂. Five practical diets were formulated to contain crude protein at 40% of dry weight, with 75% of the protein provided by soybean meal and 25% provided by menhaden fish meal. The basal diet provided total sulfur amino acids from intact protein at approximately 1.0% of dry diet, and the test diets were supplemented with each of the methionine compounds at 0.3% dry weight on an equal-sulfur basis (except for an additional 25% for MHA). A control diet was formulated to contain 40% crude protein exclusively from menhaden fish meal. All experimental die...
On minimum-genus embeddings

Abstract The cycle double cover conjecture is equivalent to the ‘pseudosurface embedding conjecture’ that every 2-connected graph has a closed 2-cell embedding in some pseudosurface. The ‘strong embedding conjecture’ asserts that every 2-connected graph has a closed 2-cell embedding in some surface. The concern of this paper is an even stronger topological conjecture mentioned by Seymour-the ‘genus strong embedding conjecture’, that every bridgeless cubic graph has a closed 2-cell embedding in its minimum genus surface. A surface Σ is said to have the genus strong embedding property if every 2-connected graph for which it is the minimum-genus surface has a closed 2-cell embedding in Σ. It is well-known that the sphere has the genus strong embedding property. Negami, and Robertson and Vitray have proved that the projective plane also has the genus strong embedding property. We prove in this paper a structure theorem for minimum-genus embeddings and embeddings with the minimum number of repeated vertices and edges in their facial walks (if the strong embedding conjecture is true, then this number is zero). This structure property leads to upper bounds on the number of repeated vertices and edges in the facial walks for such embeddings of 3-connected graphs. Examples are given that show these bounds are the best possible for minimum-genus embeddings. These examples also show that the sphere and the projective plane are the only surfaces having the genus strong embedding property, thereby extending Xuong's counterexample graph for the torus. An open problem mentioned in Bender and Richmond's paper 1990 is also solved.
THE SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION OF SPANISH GENDER AGREEMENT: THE EFFECTS OF LINGUISTIC VARIABLES ON ACCURACY. Irma Alarcón

THE SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION OF SPANISH GENDER AGREEMENT: THE EFFECTS OF LINGUISTIC VARIABLES ON ACCURACY. Irma Alarcon. Munich: Lincom Europa, 2006. Pp. vi + 130. $52.00 paper.This volume, a published dissertation, presents an empirical investigation into Spanish gender agreement among second language (L2) learners whose first language (L1) is English. Although the acquisition of grammatical gender has recently been the focus of many studies within the generative paradigm (cf. White, Valenzuela, Kozlowska-Macgregor, & Leung, 2004), Alarcon adopts a psycholinguistic approach to determine how certain linguistic variables contribute to learners' accuracy in this area of grammatical processing. In order to limit the scope of investigation, the author focuses on gender agreement between subject nouns and predicate adjectives.
Subjective health measures and acute treatment outcomes in geriatric depression.

Background Prior research suggests that elderly patients are less likely to respond to antidepressant treatment if they have low self-rated health. However, successful treatment for depression has been associated with improvement in self-rated health and other health measures. Objectives To examine measures of self-rated health, physical disability, and social function as predictors of treatment response in late-life depression, and to assess these same health measures as treatment outcomes. We hypothesized that greater impairment in these measures would predict poorer treatment response, and that these measures would show significant improvements with recovery from depression. Method Subjects were enrolled in a depression intervention study for people aged 60 and older with recurrent unipolar major depression; they were assessed with measures of self-rated health, physical disability, and social functioning at baseline and at the end of treatment. Baseline measures were compared between the 88 remitters, 11 non-remitters, and seven dropouts. Additionally, changes in the measures were examined in subjects who recovered from the index depressive episode. Results Subjects with poorer self-rated health at baseline were more likely both to drop out of treatment and to not respond to adequate treatment. This relationship was independent of demographic measures, severity of depression, physical and social functioning, medical illness, personality, hopelessness, overall medication use, and side effects or non-compliance with treatment. Conclusion Although this finding is preliminary because of the small number of dropouts and non-remitters, it suggests that lower self-rated health may independently predict premature discontinuation of treatment for depression. Additionally, subjects who recovered from depression showed significant improvements in self-rated health, physical disability, and social functioning. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of delamination in concrete using ultrasonic pulse velocity test

Abstract An experimental study was performed to evaluate the delamination in the concrete using ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) method. Two slab specimens of 150-mm and 300-mm thicknesses consisted of delaminations of varying sizes at quarter depths. Using indirect transmission method, the transit times of longitudinal and Rayleigh waves were measured to determine the dynamic Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio of the concrete. The static modulus was also measured and compared. The location and size of the delaminations in the slab were evaluated from the direct transmission method. The diffraction of the longitudinal wave at delaminations decreased the wave velocity and a qualitative correlation was established between the transit time of the UPV signal and the size of the delamination.
A Comparative Study of AODV and OLSR on the ORBIT Testbed

Though ad hoc network routing protocols, such as AODV and OLSR, have been extensively studied through simulations, there have been fewer evaluations of their software protocol implementations on real network testbed deployments. Consequently, validating the protocol functionality and performance on an actual experimental platform is imperative in order to understand relative merits or limitations under diferent network conditions. In this paper, we present our initial experimental evaluations of the publicly available AODV and OLSR implementations on the national Open Access Research Testbed (ORBIT) for Next Generation Wireless Networks. We focused on the implementation issues involved in porting these protocols on an open-access testbed as well as the behavior of the proctols on the tested. Finally, we also looked at maximum achievable throughput using these protocols under diferent settings. Our preliminary observations indicate that in a static scenario, these two protocols can achieve comparable throughput, with AODV offering better stability than OLSR.
Synaptogenic effects of neonatal estradiol treatment in rat superior cervical ganglia

Abstract Neonatal rats treated with testosterone propionate or 17-β-estradiol during the first two postnatal weeks have more neurons and synapses in their superior cervical ganglia (SCGs) at 15 days of age than do vehicle-treated littermates35,36. To determine whether a non-aromatizable androgen would similarly increase the number of SCG synapses, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was injected into male rats beginning on the day of birth. The animals were sacrificed on postnatal day 15 and the SCGs removed on postnatal day 15. Counts of synapses showed no difference in the number of synapses between control and DHT-treated animals. These results suggest that the actions of testosterone to increase the numbers of SCG synapses may be via aromatization to estradiol. An additional study was done to determine whether the additional synapses formed in SCGs of animals treated with estradiol arise from neurons whose axons are in the cervical sympathetic trunk or from intrinsic neurons, i.e., SIF cells or other principal ganglion neurons. Neonatal males were injected with 17-β-estradiol or vehicle beginning on the day of birth and continuing until the time of sacrifice on day 15. The number of intrinsic synapses formed under control and estradiol treatments was determined in SCGs of animals whose extrinsic synapses were caused to degenerate by severing the cervical sympathetic trunk bilaterally on postnatal day 13, two days before sacrifice. The total number of synapses (extrinsic plus intrinsic) in the ganglion after vehicle or estradiol treatment was determined in unoperated animals and used to calculate the number of extrinsic synapses. Results of synapse calculations showed that over 70% of the additional synapses present in SCGs of estradiol-treated animals arise from the cervical sympathetic trunk. The additional SCG neurons present after neonatal estradiol treatment receive approximately the same ratio of intrinsic to extrinsic synapses as controls, on average, and are thus likely to be normally innervated.
CLUSTERING OF THE COSMIC-RAY AGES OF STONE METEORITES.

Abstract A statistical analysis of the distribution of cosmic ray ages of stone meteorites indicates that significant discrete breakups probably need not be invoked to explain the apparent clustering of the hypersthene chondrites' ages. The clustering of the bronzite chondrites around 4 m.y. is not statistical.
The effect of P2Y-mediated platelet activation on the release of VEGF and endostatin from platelets

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin are key protein modulators of angiogenesis found within platelets. The platelet activation pathways that control angiogenic protein release are incompletely elucidated. The differential release of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic proteins from the platelet has been demonstrated for proteinase activated receptors (PARs). Given the ability of tumors to secrete ADP and the availability of ADP receptor antagonists clinically, we determined the influence of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and the ADP receptors, P2Y1 and P2Y12, on platelet release of the angiogenic stimulator protein, VEGF, and the angiogenic inhibitor protein, endostatin. Minimally altered whole blood (WB) and platelet rich plasma (PRP) from healthy volunteers was stimulated with ADP alone (12.5 uM), in combination with a P2Y1 antagonist (MRS2179) or a P2Y12 antagonist (cangrelor). VEGF and endostatin protein concentrations were assessed by an ELISA assay. We report that maximally stimulat...
A concurrent model reduction approach on spatial and random domains for the solution of stochastic PDEs

A methodology is introduced for rapid reduced-order solution of stochastic partial differential equations. On the random domain, a generalized polynomial chaos expansion (GPCE) is used to generate a reduced subspace. GPCE involves expansion of the random variable as a linear combination of basis functions defined using orthogonal polynomials from the Askey series. A proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) approach coupled with the method of snapshots is used to generate a reduced solution space from the space spanned by the finite element basis functions on the spatial domain. POD methods have been extremely popular in fluid mechanics applications and have subsequently been applied to other interesting areas. They have been shown to be capable of representing complicated phenomena with a handful of degrees of freedom. This concurrent model reduction on the random and spatial domains is applied to stochastic partial differential equations (PDEs) in natural convection processes involving randomness in the porosity of the medium and the Rayleigh number. The results indicate that owing to the multiplicative nature of the concurrent model reduction, extremely large computational gains are realized without significant loss of accuracy.
On the Algebraic Structures in the Construction of Confounding Plans in Mixed Factorial Designs on the Lines of White and Hultquist

Abstract White and Hultquist (1965) developed a method of combining finite fields mapped into a finite commutative ring to provide confounding plans for mixed factorial experiments where the numbers of the levels of factors have to be prime or the power of a prime. This paper extends their procedure to cover mixed factorials where the numbers of levels of factors need to be relatively prime, and not necessarily all prime, thus covering a wider range of mixed factorial experiments amenable to the traditional way of analysis of variance suggested by White and Hultquist.
Dynamic oligopolies with intertemporal demand interaction

Single-product oligopolies without product differentiation are examined under the additional assumption that there is inter temporal demand interaction over time in the market. Therefore the market price depends on the current total production of the industry and also on a cumulated effect of earlier demands of the market. The associated dynamic model will first be derived and then the asymptotical behavior of the equilibrium will be examined.
A doctoral program in the policy sciences

The complex nature of policy problems requires innovative approaches to problem analysis and a new social science interdiscipline focused on policy processes. The Policy Science Program at SUNY Buffalo is designed to advance this field and to train hybrid Ph.D.'s as research-scientists/practitioners. These new policy science professionals will augment policymaking organizations as policy analysts, evaluation researchers, knowledge brokers, research feedback disseminators, process monitors, and consultants. Their training must include research methodology, analytic approaches, orienting conceptual schemes from systems theory, social sciences, and specific problem domains, and operating skills. The curriculum includes both academic and field-training aspects.
New horizons in reaction engineering

Abstract Chemical Reaction Engineering has been very successful in developing a set of powerful concepts and tools, and solving many important industrial problems. The future brings many new problems that need solution, and many new tools that should be mastered. As old problems become well-investigated and mature, and old tools are less capable of producing exciting advances, it would be time for a renewal. If the maturity of the technologies that we serve can be compared to the four seasons of the year, we need to provide a balanced service between the Spring and the Autumn. We should also remember that deep Winter can be rejuvenated into Spring by a new internal idea or a new external challenge.