cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF FOREST POLICY IN MEXICO AND CHILE

Widespread agreement exists on the broad outlines of the concept of sustainable development for developing countries. This calls for a development model capable of meeting basic needs without depleting natural resources at a rate that robs future generations of their use. In this regard, citizen participation is also considered key to legitimise such policy choices. However, there is considerable disagreement over the substance and meaning of the major components of the concept and the relationship between them. This paper argues that positions in policy disputes over the sustainable development of the forest cluster in two distinct approaches: market-friendly initiatives and grassroots development. Since market economies prevail almost everywhere, the question that is posed concerns the conditions under which the grassroots development approach is included as a significant complement to market-friendly initiatives. This is a political question, requiring an examination of actors, interests and power resources. The paper thus applies a political economy framework to a paired comparison of Mexico, where grassroots development approaches (community forestry) had notable successes, and Chile, where market-friendly forest policy crowded out alternatives.
Optimal Discrete-Time Energy Harvesting From Infinite-Dimensional Stochastic Systems

This paper considers the optimization of discrete-time control systems for power generation from stochastically-excited linear dynamical systems, characterized by infinite-dimensional dynamics. Weiner-Hopf theory is used to determine the physical upper bound on stationary power generation. The resultant expressions for power generation do not require a finite-dimensional state-space model to be specified at any point in the analysis. However, the constraint that the controller be causal leads to the need to perform spectral factorizations on two associated power spectra. In many cases, analytical solutions to these factorizations are intractable, and approximate numerical techniques must be used. This paper makes use of subspace identification techniques for approximate spectral factorization. The concepts are illustrated in a wave energy conversion example.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
C-Reactive Protein Increases Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Expression and Activity in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells Implications for the Metabolic Syndrome and Atherothrombosis

Background— Inflammation plays a pivotal role in atherosclerosis. In addition to being a risk marker for cardiovascular disease, much recent data suggest that C-reactive protein (CRP) promotes atherogenesis via effects on monocytes and endothelial cells. The metabolic syndrome is associated with significantly elevated levels of CRP. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a marker of atherothrombosis, is also elevated in the metabolic syndrome and in diabetes, and endothelial cells are the major source of PAI-1. However, there are no studies examining the effect of CRP on PAI-1 in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Methods and Results— Incubation of HAECs with CRP results in a time- and dose-dependent increase in secreted PAI-1 antigen, PAI-1 activity, intracellular PAI-1 protein, and PAI-1 mRNA. CRP stabilizes PAI-1 mRNA. Inhibitors of endothelial NO synthase, blocking antibodies to interleukin-6 and an endothelin-1 receptor blocker, fail to attenuate the effect of CRP on PAI-1. CRP additionally ...
Egg production and survival of the citrus red mite on an artificial feeding system

An artificial feeding system was developed for the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri McGregor (Acari: Tetranychidae) to determine egg production and survival of adult female mites in response to various nutrient solutions. Egg production increased with increasing sugar concentration up to 20%, then declined. Autoclaved sodium caseinate was the most suitable nitrogen source examined, and egg production was highest on diet fractions containing 8% sodium caseinate, the highest concentration examined. Fecundity was higher when dietary nitrogen was provided entirely by protein than in whole or in part by free amino acids. Results are qualitatively similar to studies with Tetranychus urticae Koch, however optimal concentrations of major nutrients were ca. 4 to 10 times higher for P. citri than for T. urticae. Resume Fecondite et survie de l'acarien du citrus (Panonychus citri) sur dietes artificielles Une methode d'alimentation sur diete artificielle a ete mise au point pour l'acarien du citrus, Panonychus citri Mc Gregor (Acari: Tetranychidae) et a ete utilisee pour determiner l'influence de differentes solutions nutritives sur la fecondite et la survie des femelles adultes. La fecondite augmente avec la teneur en sucre jusqu'a une concentration maximale de 30%, et decline ensuite pour des concentrations superieures. Du caseinate de sodium autoclave s'est revele etre la meilleure source d'azote et la fecondite a ete la plus forte sur des milieux contenant 8% de caseinate de sodium, concentration la plus elevee testee. La fecondite est plus grande lorsque l'azote alimentaire est fourni entierement sous forme de proteine plutot que sous forme d'acides amines libres, en tout ou en partie. Les resultats sont qualitativement semblables a ceux obtenus precedemment chez Tetranychus urticae Koch, cependant les concentrations optimales des nutriments majeurs sont environ 4 a 10 fois plus elevees pour P. citri que pour T. urticae.
π-systems as lithium/hydrogen bond acceptors: Some theoretical observations

Ab initio calculations at the Hartree–Fock and correlated levels and density functional theory calculations have been performed with 6-31++G(d,p) and 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets on LiF and HF complexes of benzene, ethylene, and acetylene. Complex binding energies have been corrected for basis set superposition error, and zero point energy corrections have been done on Hartree–Fock binding energies. Computed results indicate that the complexes exist in different conformations and among them those with π-lithium and π-hydrogen bonds are the most stable. π-lithium bonds are stronger than π-hydrogen bonds. The computed binding energies and geometry of HF complexes correlate well with the available experimental results. LiF complexes with these π systems are found to be weaker than Li+ complexes but they are stronger than Li atom complexes. Natural bond orbital analysis traces the origin of the weak interactions that stabilize the complex. Li, as found in earlier cases, prefers the most symmetric site for interac...
Bipolar biasing in high accuracy optical linear algebra processors

Le but de la methode proposee est de supprimer la necessite de codage du signe pendant le calcul optique de donnees bipolaires
Discriminative stimulus effects of pregnanolone in rats: role of training dose in determining mechanism of action

Positive γ-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) modulators acting at different binding sites often produce similar behavioral effects; however, their effects are not identical. Actions of neuroactive steroids at other receptors, in addition to GABAA receptors, might account for some differences between neuroactive steroids and other positive modulators, like benzodiazepines. Multiple mechanisms of other drugs (e.g., ethanol) have been elucidated by comparing their discriminative stimulus effects across different training doses; the current study used that approach to examine the mechanisms of action of the neuroactive steroid pregnanolone. Separate groups of rats (n = 6–8/group) discriminated pregnanolone from vehicle while responding under a fixed-ratio 10 schedule of food presentation. Two groups initially discriminated 3.2 mg/kg; once stimulus control was established, the training dose was systematically decreased to 1.33 mg/kg in one group and increased to 7.5 mg/kg in the other group. Other rats discriminated either 1.33 or 7.5 mg/kg without training at another dose. Stimulus control was established in 24–28 sessions in all groups. Positive GABAA modulators produced ≥80 % pregnanolone-lever responding, regardless of training dose; rank-order potency was flunitrazepam > midazolam > pregnanolone = pentobarbital. Ethanol produced some drug-lever responding (42 %) only in rats discriminating 1.33 mg/kg, whereas the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine and the serotonin receptor agonist 1-(m-chlorophenyl)-biguanide occasioned predominantly vehicle-lever responding in all rats. There was little difference in discriminative stimulus effects of pregnanolone across different training conditions, confirming a predominant, if not exclusive, role of GABAA receptors in these effects of pregnanolone.
Surgical-prosthetic rehabilitation of partially edentulous adults

Abstract Excellent occlusal stability, function, and facial esthetics can be achieved in most partially edentulous adults by properly planned and executed orthognathic surgery in concert with prosthetic treatment. Long-term follow-up studies of many patients treated in this manner reveal minimal positional change. Speed of treatment and elimination of long-term retention appliances are additional advantages of orthognathic surgery performed in concert with prosthetics. The type of treatment described in this article provides a means of treating those patients who have been previously cast aside as “dental cripples.”
Resolution of Runge-Kutta-Nystrom condition equations through eighthorder

A systematic development of general solutions of the condition equations for minimal stage Runge-KuttaNystrom algorithms through eighth order is made. Although it is known that, for mth-order accuracy, (m-1)stage methods are possible through w = 6, the general sixth-order algorithm, shown here to have two free parameters and to include Albrecht's formula as a special case, appears to be a new result. General seventhand eighth-order algorithms, for which the number of stages is the same as the order of the method, are also developed, as well as a proof of the nonexistence of a seventh-order, six-stage method.
The role of juvenile hormone esterase in terminating larval feeding and initiating metamorphic development in Trichoplusia ni

This study shows, first, that when JH degradation by JHE is blocked with an inhibitor (EPPAT, O-ethyl-S-phenyl-phosphoramidothiolate), prothoracicotropic/ecdysone release/effects are postponed in the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) (Noctuidae). Thus, JHE is an important component of JH degradation, implying that without normal degradation the JH titer will become abnormally high. Second, this accumulation of endogenous JH in EPPAT treated larvae results in an extra larval molt. Therefore, JHE is also important in the control of the nature of the molt, by controlling the JH titer. Third, this study demonstrates that EPPAT at proper doses is a viable probe for studying enzyme and hormone action in vivo without pharmacological artifacts. RESUME Role de l'esterase de l'hormone juvenile (JHE) dans la fin de l'alimentation larvaire et dans l'initiation de la metamorphose Cette etude indique d'abord que, lorsque la degradation de l'hormone juvenile (JH) par la JHE est bloquee par un inhibiteur (EPPAT, O-ethyl-S-phenyl-phosphoramidothiolate) les effets prothoracicotropiques − liberation d'ecdysone − sont retardes chez Trichoplusia ni Hubner. Ainsi, la JHE est un element important de la degradation de JH, impliquant que sans une degradation reguliere, la teneur en JH deviendra anormalement elevee. Cette accumulation d'hormone juvenile endogene chez les larves traitees a l'EPPAT provoque de plus une mue larvaire supplementaire. Par consequent, JHE est importante aussi dans le controle de la nature de la mue, en determinant la teneur en JH. Enfin, cette etude a montre que l'EPPAT a des doses appropriees est un moyen efficace pur etudier l'action hormonale in vivo sans artefacts pharmaceutiques.
Functional Augmentation of Naturally-Derived Materials for Tissue Regeneration

Tissue engineering strategies have utilized a wide spectrum of synthetic and naturally-derived scaffold materials. Synthetic scaffolds are better defined and offer the ability to precisely and reproducibly control their properties, while naturally-derived scaffolds typically have inherent biological and structural properties that may facilitate tissue growth and remodeling. More recently, efforts to design optimized biomaterial scaffolds have blurred the line between these two approaches. Naturally-derived scaffolds can be engineered through the manipulation of intrinsic properties of the pre-existing backbone (e.g., structural properties), as well as the addition of controllable functional components (e.g., biological properties). Chemical and physical processing techniques used to modify structural properties of synthetic scaffolds have been tailored and applied to naturally-derived materials. Such strategies include manipulation of mechanical properties, degradation, and porosity. Furthermore, biofunctional augmentation of natural scaffolds via incorporation of exogenous cells, proteins, peptides, or genes has been shown to enhance functional regeneration over endogenous response to the material itself. Moving forward, the regenerative mode of action of naturally-derived materials requires additional investigation. Elucidating such mechanisms will allow for the determination of critical design parameters to further enhance efficacy and capitalize on the full potential of naturally-derived scaffolds.
Response to Haskell's "Academic Freedom ... & Student Evaluation"

Haskell (1997) argued that the administrative practice of student evaluation of faculty is a threat to academic freedom. However, before that claim can be substantiated, several prior questions must be addressed: To whom does academic freedom belong? Individual faculty? The academy? Whose actions can violate the right? Can any lines be drawn based on whether the substance or form of classroom behavior is influenced? And still another crucial point is whether a body can violate academic freedom without any intent to interfere with or control the substance of what is said to students.
Determination of framework concentrations of gallium in [Ga]-ZSM-5

The adsorption of ammonia, 2-propanol, and 2-propanamine on H- [Ga]-ZSM-5 has been examined using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). For each of the adsorbates, a clearly defined adsorption complex with a stoichiometry of one per Ga could be identified. For 2-propanol and 2-propanamine, these 1:1 adsorption complexes react to desorb as propene and either water or ammonia. Adsorption complexes were not observed when a high-silica ZSM-5 was impregnated with Ga2O3, implying that the adsorption complexes are associated with the hydroxyls at framework Ga sites in the zeolite and are not observed for Ga which is not in the framework. The results suggest that adsorption can be used to determine the framework concentrations of Ga in H-[Ga]-ZSM-5.
WE-C-330D-02: Image Science and CAD: In Pursuit of a Fundamental Theoretical Basis for CAD Development

Computer‐aided diagnosis is still a very immature field, with very little theoretical framework upon which it is based. This is a major limitation in both developing systems and in evaluating them in a meaningful way. It is clear that in the future CAD will play a greater role in radiology, both as secondary reader and as a primary reader. The current clinical implementation of CAD is as second reader to radiologists. This will shift to CAD being used by a physician assistant and CAD as the primary reader and the radiologist as the secondary reader. Ultimately, CAD will be the only reader, at least for a subset of cases. However, to increase the development and adoption of new CAD systems, the field needs a better fundamental foundation. This foundation will come from several areas. First, as we gain a better understanding of human observers, we can use this information not only to develop more accurate CAD algorithms, but also importantly, to design CAD systems that can be integrated into the radiologists' workflow more fully. Second, models of CAD techniques need to be developed. In analogy to modeling ideal observers and human observers, much can be gained from modelingCAD schemes. Third, a thorough understanding of the interaction between the image and the CAD technique is needed. For example, if the shape of the NEQ curve of the image receptor changes, can we predict how the performance of the CAD technique will change. Medical imaging technology is rapidly changing. The current paradigm for developing CAD systems — try different techniques on hundreds of images — cannot keep pace with these changes, especially as new imaging systems are developed, where clinical images are scarce. Our goal should be to develop the field to the stage where it will be possible to model the imaging system's characteristics and then, guided by models of human observer performance, select from an array of image processing,artificial intelligence and pattern recognition techniques a group of techniques that will produce the optimum CAD system. This talk will present my vision for the future of CAD and what is necessary for the field to make rapid progress. Educational Objectives: 1. Discuss future roles of CAD as both a secondary and the primary reader. 2. Explain the fundamental limitations of CAD development. 3. Discuss one possible approach to overcoming the limitations in the future.
The past as the key to the present: resurrection of ancient proteins from eosinophils.

Moving from gene sequences to protein behaviors, and from there to cellular function, organismal biology, and fitness, is an immediate challenge to biology in the postgenomic age. Genome databases are, of course, nothing more than collections of molecular structures for organic “natural products.” Unfortunately, the chemical structure of an organic compound does not transparently reveal its behavior or its function in a biological system. This is true even if the molecular structure is a protein sequence.
Masses of the Sellar and Junxtasellar Region

Tumors of the sellar and junxtasellar regions are common, accounting for in excess of 10–15% of all intracranial tumors [1]. Although the majority of these are benign tumors, mostly pituitary adenomas, they can account for significant morbidity and a shortened life expectancy. Pituitary adenomas are the most common sellar and suprasellar masses in adults, with meningiomas being the second most common. In children, craniopharyngiomas and chiasmatic/hypothalamic gliomas account for the vast majority of lesions in this region. Adenomas, meningiomas, craniopharyngiomas, chiasmatic/hypothalamic gliomas, and aneurysms account for 75% of sellar and junxtasellar masses [2]. Although the focus of our discussion is tumors, some nonneoplastic entities are discussed, since these can be difficult to distinguish from tumors and must be differentiated, since the treatment approach can be very different.
Institutional Development and Its Impact on the Performance Effect of Bank Diversification: Evidence from Transition Economies

This paper investigates the performance impact of bank diversification on loan and asset portfolios in transition economies. We find that asset diversification is associated positively and loan diversification negatively with bank performance. We also examine the relationship between institutional changes and the performance impact of bank diversification. Our results indicate that different types of institutional reforms play different roles. Banking liberalization and corporate governance restructuring significantly enhance profit gains from loan and asset diversification. Legal reforms, however, tend to reduce profit gains and usually entail a diversification discount. Our findings on the differential impact of various institutional measures on bank performance contribute to a better understanding of the role of institutional reforms of the past two decades in transition countries.
Open Pore Polyurethane—A New Separation Medium

(1974). Open Pore Polyurethane—A New Separation Medium. Separation and Purification Methods: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 111-131.
Pharmacokinetics of Captopril in Elderly Healthy Male Volunteers

The pharmacokinetics of captopril were studied in 12 healthy male volunteers aged 65 to 76 years, who each received a single 100-mg oral dose. Blood and urine samples were collected over a 24-hour period, and assayed for unchanged captopril (CAP), S-methylcaptopril (Me-CAP, plasma concentrations from 2 subjects only), and total captopril levels (TOT, a mixture of CAP and its dimer and mixed disulfides with endogenous thiol-containing compounds such as glutathione and cysteine). Mean values for the maximum concentration (Cmax) were 803 and 66.3 ng/mL for CAP and Me-CAP, respectively. Mean time to maximum concentration (tmax) was determined as 1.0, 1.4, and 1.0 for CAP, TOT, and Me-CAP, respectively. Mean areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) were 1,394 hr-ng/mL (CAP, 0-8 hr) and 17,316 hr-ng/mL (TOT, 0-24 hr). The mean estimated half-life (t 1/2) for CAP was 1.4 hr, and its renal clearance was 187 mL/hr/kg. Mean urinary excretion over 24 hr was 20.8 and 53.1 for CAP and TOT, respectively. Cmax, and AUC for CAP were 9% less and 13% greater, respectively, than in a historical control group of 18-35-year-old men, treated in the same clinic, by the same personnel, using the same analytic procedures, whereas the 24-hour urinary excretion was 25% lower and eight-hour renal clearance 36% lower in the older population. Since the values for Cmax, AUC, and t 1/2 were similar in the two populations, it does not appear that the pharmacokinetics of CAP are altered markedly with age alone.
Partitioning of Hydrophobic Organic Compounds to Sorbed Surfactants. 1. Experimental Studies

Partitioning of two hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs), phenanthrene and naphthalene, to surfactant micelles, kaolinite, and sorbed surfactants was studied to provide further insight on (1) the effectiveness of using sorbed surfactants to remove HOCs from water and (2) the feasibility of surfactant-enhanced remediation (SER) for contaminated subsurface systems. Sorbed surfactant partition coefficients, Kss, showed a strong dependence on the surfactant sorption isotherms: at low sorbed surfactant levels Kss values were at their highest and then decreased with increasing surfactant sorption densities. Kss values for SDS were always larger than the corresponding micellar partition coefficient (Kmic) values; for Tween 80, however, Kss values were higher than Kmic values only at the lower sorbed surfactant densities. HOC distributions between the immobile and mobile phases varied with surfactant dose because of the competition between sorbed and micellar surfactants for HOC partitioning: distribution coeff...
Immune and inflammatory mechanisms of atherosclerosis (

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the wall of large- and medium-sized arteries that is precipitated by elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. Although dendritic cells (DCs) and lymphocytes are found in the adventitia of normal arteries, their number is greatly expanded and their distribution changed in human and mouse atherosclerotic arteries. Macrophages, DCs, foam cells, lymphocytes, and other inflammatory cells are found in the intimal atherosclerotic lesions. Beneath these lesions, adventitial leukocytes organize in clusters that resemble tertiary lymphoid tissues. Experimental interventions can reduce the number of available blood monocytes, from which macrophages and most DCs and foam cells are derived, and reduce atherosclerotic lesion burden without altering blood lipids. Under proatherogenic conditions, nitric oxide production from endothelial cells is reduced and the burden of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and advanced glycation end products (AGE) ...
The diagnosis of huntington’s disease

We investigated all patients in Maryland reported to have Huntington's disease (HD), and found considerable diagnostic inaccuracy. Fifteen percent of cases reported as HD actually had some other diagnosable condition; 11% of cases that met diagnostic criteria for HD had been given some other diagnosis. Diagnostic errors could be reduced by documentation of the family history by systematic interviewing of relatives and by demonstration of the characteristic disorder of voluntary movement in addition to chorea.
Alterations in Carbohydrate Metabolism in Canine Lymphoma

Following an overnight fast, blood samples were obtained from 14 dogs with previously untreated lymphoma before and 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes following an intravenous challenge with 500 mg/kg dextrose. Samples were assayed for glucose, lactate, and insulin concentrations and compared statistically with ten control dogs of similar weight and age undergoing an identical dextrose challenge. Dogs with lymphoma had similar glucose tolerance curves when compared with controls. Lactate concentrations were significantly higher (P less than 0.001) at baseline and all time periods of the glucose tolerance test in dogs with lymphoma when compared with controls. Rise in lactate concentrations over baseline levels in the first 30 minutes of the glucose tolerance test were significantly higher in dogs with lymphoma (P = 0.011). Insulin concentrations were significantly higher (P less than 0.001) at baseline and at the 5-, 45-, 60-, and 90-minute time periods of the glucose tolerance test in dogs with lymphoma. Rise in insulin concentrations over baseline in the first 5 minutes of the glucose tolerance test were also significantly greater in dogs with lymphoma (P = 0.021). These results indicate carbohydrate metabolism is altered in dogs with lymphoma. Many of these alterations parallel those observed in human patients suffering from cancer cachexia making canine lymphoma a potential model for further study of the pathogenesis and therapy of cancer cachexia.
Especially for High School Teachers

Moderated, online forum for high school chemistry teachers. Includes High School Program at the ACS National Meeting in Chicago.
Preparation of Dicycloalkyl Peroxides Including Dicyclohexyl Peroxide

Abstract A source of regiospecifically di-deuterated cyclic dialkyl peroxides, free of alcohol or ketone impurities, was required for studies of a series of•(CH2) radical thermolysis products.1 We report herein a procedure for preparation of the series of ROOR compounds, where R=dicyclopentyl (1), R=dicyclohexyl (2), and R=dicycloheptyl peroxide (3). To our knowledge, syntheses of 2 and 3 have not been reported.
The prudent layperson definition: will It work for emergency medicine?

Abstract [Williams RM. The prudent layperson definition: will it work for emergency medicine? Ann Emerg Med. September 2000;36:238-240.]
Plasmablastic Lymphoma in the Testis and Duodenum: A Case Report and Literature Review

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare and highly aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). There are over 300 reported cases of PBL, of which over 120 are reported in HIV-positive patients. Of HIV-negative patients, patients were either immunocompetent or immunosuppressed transplant recipients. Initial reports highlighted cases arising in the oral cavity of HIV patients and this remains the most prevalent site of disease. However, other sites such as the gastrointestinal tract and skin are the next most common sites. Only three cases have involved the testes, a sanctuary site. Of gastrointestinal sites, there are only a handful of cases with gastric involvement. In the pre-human antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, median overall survival was dismal. However, prognosis has improved since their advent. There is no significant difference in the survival of HIV-positive and HIV-negative PBL patients. It should be emphasized that due to the scarcity of cases, there are no established standards of care or prospective therapeutic trials for the management and treatment of PBL. Chemotherapy remains the standard approach, though selecting a regimen is still controversial and while response has been good, overall survival remains poor. Since 1995, autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) has been the standard of care for relapsed chemosensitive HIV-negative NHL. In the era of HAART, this has become feasible for HIV patients. A few studies have suggested that use of AHCT in the first line setting and relapsed or refractory disease may confer better outcomes. Herein we describe a unique case of involvement in the testis and duodenum, and there are no previous reports of a patient presenting with both gastrointestinal and urogenital involvement. J Hematol. 2015;4(3):196-201 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jh217w
Functional Comorbidity Index in chronic rhinosinusitis

Background The Functional Comorbidity Index is a promising tool to predict general health status and adjust for comorbidity confounding in outcomes studies of chronic conditions, but it has been tested as a predictor of general health status only in a sleep apnea cohort. We tested it in a chronic rhinosinusitis cohort with 2 objectives: (1) measure the association between the Functional Comorbidity Index (range, 0 to 18) and general health status (SF-36 Physical Component Score and Mental Component Score); and (2) test if the Functional Comorbidity Index is more strongly associated (a better predictor) than the well-known Charlson Comorbidity Index (range, 0 to 37) with these SF-36 outcome measures. Methods In a cross-sectional study of chronic rhinosinusitis patients, we obtained scores for the Functional Comorbidity Index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and the SF-36. We calculated Spearman correlations and adjusted coefficients of determination (R2) using multiple linear regression, adjusted for demographic covariates. Bootstrapping generated R2 distributions for statistical comparison. Results In the cohort (N = 97), the Functional Comorbidity Index scores (mean ± standard deviation: 2.2 ± 1.9) were more widely distributed than Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (0.6 ± 1.2). The Functional Comorbidity Index significantly correlated with the SF-36 Physical Component Score (−0.49, p < 0.001) and Mental Component Score (−0.37, p < 0.001). The Functional Comorbidity Index was a better predictor than the Charlson Comorbidity Index of SF-36 Physical Component Score (R2 mean ± standard error: 0.21 ± 0.09 vs 0.15 ± 0.05; p < 0.001) and Mental Component Score (0.16 ± 0.10 vs 0.01 ± 0.06; p < 0.001). Conclusion The Functional Comorbidity Index is a more robust predictor of general health status than the Charlson Comorbidity Index in chronic rhinosinusitis patients.
Venus bow shocks at unusually large distances from the planet

Recent analysis of data from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO) has shown that the bow shock often travels to unusually large distances from the planet when the solar wind magnetosonic Mach number is near unity. We suggest that distant bow shocks can be explained as an integral part of the response of the global solar wind/Venus interaction to the anomalous local solar wind conditions that existed during the time of these observations. The lower-than-normal plasma beta and magnetosonic Mach number are in a parameter regime for which the usual fast-mode bow shock close to the planet may not provide the necessary compression and deflection of the solar wind. Using MHD simulations we show that, for these conditions, the usual fast shock is replaced by a bow shock consisting of an intermediate shock near the Sun-Venus line and a fast shock at large distances from the Sun-Venus line. This composite bow shock propagates upstream away from the planet at a low speed and appears to be approaching a new equilibrium stand-off location at a large distance from the planet.
Short-term responses of the kidney to high altitude in mountain climbers

In high-altitude climbers, the kidneys play a crucial role in acclimatization and in mountain sickness syndromes [acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral edema, high-altitude pulmonary edema] through their roles in regulating body fluids, electrolyte and acid–base homeostasis. Here, we discuss renal responses to several high-altitude-related stresses, including changes in systemic volume status, renal plasma flow and clearance, and altered acid–base and electrolyte status. Volume regulation is considered central both to high-altitude adaptation and to maladaptive development of mountain sickness. The rapid and powerful diuretic response to the hypobaric hypoxic stimulus of altitude integrates decreased circulating concentrations of antidiuretic hormone, renin and aldosterone, increased levels of natriuretic hormones, plasma and urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, endothelin and urinary adrenomedullin, with increased insensible fluid losses and reduced fluid intake. The ventilatory and hormonal responses to hypoxia may predict susceptibility to AMS, also likely influenced by multiple genetic factors. The timing of altitude increases and adaptation also modifies the body's physiologic responses to altitude. While hypovolemia develops as part of the diuretic response to altitude, coincident vascular leak and extravascular fluid accumulation lead to syndromes of high-altitude sickness. Pharmacological interventions, such as diuretics, calcium blockers, steroids, phosphodiesterase inhibitors and β-agonists, may potentially be helpful in preventing or attenuating these syndromes.
Temperature stress and plant sexual reproduction: uncovering the weakest links

The reproductive (gametophytic) phase in flowering plants is often highly sensitive to hot or cold temperature stresses, with even a single hot day or cold night sometimes being fatal to reproductive success. This review describes studies of temperature stress on several crop plants, which suggest that pollen development and fertilization may often be the most sensitive reproductive stage. Transcriptome and proteomic studies on several plant species are beginning to identify stress response pathways that function during pollen development. An example is provided here of genotypic differences in the reproductive stress tolerance between two ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana Columbia (Col) and Hilversum (Hi-0), when reproducing under conditions of hot days and cold nights. Hi-0 exhibited a more severe reduction in seed set, correlated with a reduction in pollen tube growth potential and tropism defects. Hi-0 thus provides an Arabidopsis model to investigate strategies for improved stress tolerance in pollen. Understanding how different plants cope with stress during reproductive development offers the potential to identify genetic traits that could be manipulated to improve temperature tolerance in selected crop species being cultivated in marginal climates.
Modelling cloud computing infrastructure

We present a modelling approach for an adaptive cloud infrastructure consisting of secure pools of virtualized resources, in order to facilitate automated management tasks and interaction with the system by a human administrator, or programmatically by a higher level service. The topology of such a system is rapidly changing as, for example, it has the abilities to create, modify or destroy pools of virtual resources according to customer demand, as well as dynamically modify the mapping of virtual to physical resources. It is also highly distributed and management data needs to be compiled from disparate sources. Our modelling approach, based on the semantic web, allows us to represent complex topologies, model incomplete or erroneous systems and perform operations such as query, while still allowing validation of the models against system invariants and policies. It also supports distributed modelling, allowing sub-models to be combined, data merging, and shared vocabularies.
Effect of the Simultaneous Application of NMES and HVPC on Knee Extension Torque

Context: Electrical stimulation using simultaneous application of two current types for multiple effects is a current treatment option, but the effect of this treatment is not currently known. Objectives: To compare isometric knee extension torque when using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in combination with High Voltage Pulsed Current (HVPC) versus NMES alone during three contraction conditions of quadriceps. Design: Counterbalanced, within-subjects design to test independent variables, stimulation protocol, and contraction condition; ANOVA to analyze dependent variable, peak torque. Setting: Athletic Training Research Laboratory. Participants: 14 healthy subjects (7 male and 7 female, age = 21.9 ± 2.0 yr, height = 173.4 ± 10.1cm, weight = 76.1 ± 16.7 kg). Intervention: Participants performed three contraction conditions during two stimulation protocols. Main Outcome Measure: Peak isometric knee extension torque. Results: The main effect for Stimulation Protocol was not significant: F1,26 = ...
Radar estimates of soil moisture over the Konza Prairie

Radar-backscatter measurements were made to estimate soil moisture. The helicopter-mounted radar was flown along selected transects that coincided with soil-moisture measurements. The radar operated at microwave frequencies of 5.3 and 9.6 GHz and at selected incidence angles between 0 and 60 degrees. Vertical polarization was used for two days and horizontal polarization was used for three days. The scattering-coefficient data from different days were grouped by frequency and antenna angles and then related to soil moisture along the flight paths using linear regression. A measure of linearity for the regression ranged between 0.9 and 0.5. The larger coefficients were for X-band measurements made at large antenna-incidence angles, and the smaller coefficients were for C-band measurements made at incidences angles near vertical.
ULTRASTRUCTURAL AND BIOCHEMICAL COMPARISONS OF DENDRODENDRITIC SYNAPTOSOMES FROM BOVINE SUPERIOR COLLICULI AND OLFACTORY BULBS WITH AXODENDRITIC AND AXOSOMATIC SYNAPTOSOMES

– The buoyant density, ultrastructure and protein composition of dendrodendritic (DD), axodendritic (AD) and axosomatic (AS) synaptosomes were compared. DD synaptosomes prepared from either bovine superior colliculi or olfactory bulbs sedimented in 0.32 m-sucrose at 1000 g whereas AD and AS synaptosomes from frontal and temporal lobe cortices sedimented at 10.000 g. In gradients of Renografin the DD contacts banded at a density of 1.12 whereas AD and AS banded at 1.07. The DD contacts appeared as large clusters of serial contacts, and each individual terminal had a mean surface area of 1.48 μm2; the mean area of AD and AS terminals was less than 0.35 μm2. The protein compositions of DD, AD and AS synaptosomes were quite similar, with minor exceptions. These findings suggest that different synaptosmal types evolved from common membrane constituents.
A paucity of heterochromatin at functional human neocentromeres

Centromeres are responsible for the proper segregation of replicated chromatids during cell division. Neocentromeres are fully functional ectopic human centromeres that form on low-copy DNA sequences and permit analysis of centromere structure in relation to the underlying DNA sequence. Such structural analysis is not possible at endogenous centromeres because of the large amounts of repetitive alpha satellite DNA present. High-resolution chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) on CHIP (microarray) analysis of three independent neocentromeres from chromosome 13q revealed that each neocentromere contained ~100 kb of centromere protein (CENP)-A in a two-domain organization. Additional CENP-A domains were observed in the vicinity of neocentromeres, coinciding with CpG islands at the 5' end of genes. Analysis of histone H3 dimethylated at lysine 4 (H3K4me2) revealed small domains at each neocentromere. However, these domains of H3K4me2 were also found in the equivalent non-neocentric chromosomes. A surprisingly minimal (~15 kb) heterochromatin domain was observed at one of the neocentromeres, which formed in an unusual transposon-free region distal to the CENP-A domains. Another neocentromere showed a distinct absence of nearby significant domains of heterochromatin. A subtle defect in centromere cohesion detected at these neocentromeres may be due to the paucity of heterochromatin domains. This high-resolution mapping suggests that H3K4me2 does not seem sufficiently abundant to play a structural role at neocentromeres, as proposed for endogenous centromeres. Large domains of heterochromatin also do not appear necessary for centromere function. Thus, this study provides important insight into the structural requirements of human centromere function.
Enhanced osteoblast functions on anodized titanium with nanotube‐like structures

Previous studies have demonstrated increased osteoblast (bone-forming cells) adhesion on titanium and Ti-6Al-4V anodized to possess nanometer features compared with their unanodized counterparts. In this study, osteoblast long-term functions (specifically, synthesis of intracellular proteins, synthesis of intracellular collagen, alkaline phosphatase activity, and deposition of calcium-containing minerals) were determined on titanium anodized to possess either heterogeneous nanoparticles or ordered nanotubes. Titanium was anodized in dilute hydrofluoric acid at 20 V for 20 min to possess nanotubes, while titanium was anodized at 10 V for 20 min to possess nanoparticles. Most importantly, results showed that calcium deposition significantly increased on anodized titanium with nanotube-like structures compared with unanodized titanium and anodized titanium with nanoparticulate structures after 21 days of osteoblast culture. In this manner, the results of the present in vitro study indicated that anodization might be a promising quick and inexpensive method to modify the surface of titanium-based implants to induce better bone cell functions important for orthopedic applications.
Modeling the growth of Listeria monocytogenes on cut cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon

A recent outbreak linked to whole cantaloupes underscores the importance of understanding growth kinetics of Listeria monocytogenes in cut melons at different temperatures. Whole cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew purchased from a local supermarket were cut into 10 ± 1 g cubes. A four-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes from food related outbreaks was used to inoculate fruit, resulting in ~10(3) CFU/10 g. Samples were stored at 4, 10, 15, 20, or 25 °C and L. monocytogenes were enumerated at appropriate time intervals. The square root model was used to describe L. monocytogenes growth rate as a function of temperature. The model was compared to prior models for Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 growth on cut melon, as well as models for L. monocytogenes on cantaloupe and L. monocytogenes ComBase models. The current model predicts faster growth of L. monocytogenes vs. Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 at temperatures below 20 °C, and agrees with estimates from ComBase Predictor, and a corrected published model for L. monocytogenes on cut cantaloupe. The model predicts ~4 log CFU increase following 15 days at 5 °C, and ∼1 log CFU increase following 6 days at 4 °C. The model can also be used in subsequent quantitative microbial risk assessments.
RADIATION INDUCED RENAL CELL CANCER: A REPORT OF 4 CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

AbstractPurpose: During clinical care in the University of Chicago renal cell carcinoma program there was 1 case of prior radiation therapy for a neuroblastoma (patient age 16 months). After this index case was found our investigation was conducted to identify other cases with apparent radiation therapy induced renal cell carcinoma and review the literature on the subject.Materials and Methods: The clinical summaries of 573 cases from the University of Chicago renal cell carcinoma program from 1992 through 1998 were reviewed.Results: Four cases (3 men and 1 woman) of renal cell carcinoma, including the index case, were identified with prior therapeutic radiation therapy. Of the patients 3, 32, 35 and 36 years old, had been radiated for neuroblastoma 31, 32 and 35 years, respectively, before diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma and 1 (age 64 years) had been radiated for testicular seminoma 25 years earlier. The 32-year-old patient had 2 primary renal cell carcinomas in the remaining kidney and an associated l...
Role of angiotensin II and prostaglandins in the regulation of uteroplacental blood flow

This study was designed to determine the importance of the renin-angiotensin (RAS) and prostaglandin (PG) systems in regulating uteroplacental blood flow (UBF). Our objectives were to determine: 1) whether angiotensin II (ANG II) acts as a vasodilator or purely as a vasoconstrictor in the uteroplacental circulation, and 2) whether this circulation is capable of autoregulation. In chronically instrumented pregnant dogs (41-54 days gestation), ANG II was infused intravenously at increasing doses (8, 16, and 24 ng.kg-1 x min-1). Arterial pressure rose from 108 +/- 6 to 146 +/- 4 mmHg and UBF did not change but uterine vascular resistance (UVR) progressively increased. When the experiment was repeated while servo-controlling uterine arterial pressure, UBF fell at all doses, reaching 62 +/- 7% of control at the highest dose, and UVR increased as before. Meclofenamate (6 mg/kg i.v.) did not alter the dose-response curves. In separate experiments, uterine perfusion pressure was reduced in steps to 55 mmHg. UBF was well autoregulated down to approximately 85 mmHg, and neither captopril (14 micrograms.kg-1 x min-1) nor meclofenamate altered UBF autoregulation. Thus ANG II appears to act as a vasoconstrictor in the uteroplacental circulation and any preservation of UBF during ANG II appears to be due to the increased arterial pressure. Also, in the dog the uteroplacental circulation possesses a mild to moderate degree of autoregulatory capability, which does not appear to be dependent on the RAS or PGs.
The Winchester Law School,1824-1831

There was a proprietary law school in Winchester, Virginia, taught by Judge Henry St. George Tucker (1780-1848) from 1824 to 1831. It was very popular and competed successfully with the university law schools of the time. It closed when Judge Tucker was appointed to the Court of Appeals of Virginia and had to spend term time in Richmond.
Solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation using time-dependent basis functions

The time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation is solved by using an explicitly time-dependent basis. This approach allows efficient reflection-free time propagation of the wave function. The applicability of the method is illustrated by solving various time-dependent problems including the calculation of the above threshold ionization of a model atom and the optical absorption spectrum of a sodium dimer.
Study on activity of serum cholinesterase and alanine transaminase among workers in an organophosphorus pesticides factory in Nantong City

[Objective]To understand the determination results of serum cholinesterase(CHE) activity and alanine transaminase(ALT) among workers in an organophosphorus pesticides factory in Nantong City during 2011,and analyze its related influencing factors.[Methods]485 workers in a pesticides factory in Nantong City received the occupational health examination in 2011.The determination results of serum CHE and ALT activity in the exposure group(289 workers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides) and the control group(196 nonexposed workers) were analyzed.[Results]The activity of serum CHE in the exposure group was significantly lower than that of the control group,and the ALT activity in the exposure group was significantly higher than that of the control group.CHE activity in working years ≤1a group and working years 10a group was significantly higher than that in working year 1~10 a group(P0.01),and CHE activity in working years ≤1a group was significantly lower than that in working years 10a group(P0.01).The serum ALT activity increased with the increasing working years,and there was significant difference between different working year groups(P0.01).The activities of serum CHE and ALT in female workers were lower than those in male workers(P0.01 and P0.05).[Conclusion]The organophosphorus pesticides exposure has a significant effect on serum CHE and ALT.It is necessary to pay attention to it and strengthen preventive measures.