cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneous soot nanostructure in atmospheric and combustion source aerosols

In this work, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images of microscopic soot emissions from wildfire and from a wide range of anthropogenic combustion sources (e.g., electrical utility and institutional oil boilers, jet aircraft, and heavy-duty diesel trucks) are presented. The soot nanostructures of individual particles in these emissions are predominantly heterogeneous, decidedly influenced by the fuel composition and by the particular combustion process the fuels undergo, and reveal the mechanisms underlying primary soot particle inception and growth. A lattice fringe analysis shows that differences among the soot nanostructures are measurable. To study whether these differences might identify the combustion source types contributing to ambient aerosols, we also examine the nanostructures of individual atmospheric particles collected at two spatially diverse United States locations (Duke Forest, North Carolina, and the Northern Front Range, Colorado). We find that the elemental carbon stru...
Cytochrome P450 3A5 Genotype Is Associated with Early Post-Operative Tacrolimus Serum Levels in Lung Transplant Patients

Purpose Tacrolimus use in lung transplantation is complicated by variable pharmacokinetics. Cytochrome P450 3A5 (CYP3A5) is one enzyme involved in tacrolimus metabolism. Due to aberrant mRNA splicing, CYP3A5 expression is decreased in major allele homozygotes at the rs776746 locus. This SNP has been associated with differing dose requirements after one or more months of therapy, but its importance has not been studied immediately after transplantation, when initiation of the proper dose may be the most critical. We hypothesized that CYP3A5 genotype at rs776746 would be associated with tacrolimus time-within-therapeutic range (TTR) in the early post-transplant period. Methods and Materials We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing lung or heart-lung transplantation at a single center. Genotype was determined using a cardiovascular gene centric SNP array. Tacrolimus TTR was calculated as the percentage of total tacrolimus trough levels that were therapeutic (8-12 ng/mL) within 14 days of transplantation or prior to hospital discharge. The association between genotype and TTR was tested using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results Genotype and tacrolimus troughs were available in 213 patients, 198 (93%) of whom had at least four trough levels. Due to large population differences in allele frequency by race, analysis was restricted to the 171 (86%) Caucasian recipients. 150 (88%) patients were major allele homozygotes, 21 (12%) were heterozygotes, and there were no minor allele homozygotes. The median number of tacrolimus trough levels was 11 in both groups (p=0.58). Homozygotes had a median TTR of 35.7%, compared with a median TTR of 22.2% in heterozygotes (p=0.005). Conclusions Major allele homozygotes at rs776746 in CYP3A5 have higher TTR in the early post-lung transplant period compared to heterozygotes at this locus. In the future, trials to evaluate the clinical impact of initial post-lung transplant tacrolimus dosing based on genotype may be warranted.
Making Things Visible: Opportunities and Tensions in Visual Approaches for Design Research and Practice

Visual approaches for conducting research during the design process often give voice to people and ideas that might otherwise remain obscured. Recent and increasing interest in visual research techniques has coincided with technological advances such as camera phones and visually oriented mobile applications. As a result of this close association between digital technologies and image-based research techniques, there are multiple opportunities and challenges within human–computer interaction (HCI) design practice to employ these strategies to improve user experiences. This article provides an overview of current visual approaches to research highlighting the role technology has played in facilitating and inspiring these techniques. A series of case studies are presented that provide a basis for understanding a breadth of visual approaches in HCI design practices as well as serve as a point of entry to a critical and reflective discussion about the use of these approaches in different circumstances. Based ...
Does the teratogenicity of isotretinoin outweigh its benefits

Isotretinoin is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of severe, recalcitrant, nodular acne [1]. This form of acne vulgaris has a profound impact on the quality of lif...
The relevance of law in human rights protection

Abstract Relatively little empirical research on the protection of human rights considers the significance of legal rules and institutions. This article examines the effects of legal institutions on the general protection of political rights and on the protection of one discrete right—freedom from unreasonable search and seizure. A cross-sectional analysis reveals that legal institutions, and in particular judicial independence, are significant in protecting human rights. The significance remains even when extralegal variables, such as wealth, are considered. The presence of an explicit constitutional protection against unreasonable search and seizure does not have an independently significant effect on human rights but does affect the manner in which rights are protected.
Examining the Effects of High School Contexts on Postsecondary Enrollment

The present study is organized around the central hypothesis that the high school context affects students’ postsecondary outcomes. Drawing on a nationally representative sample of high school seniors from the Educational Longitudinal Survey (ELS:2002), this study broadens our empirical understanding of how students’ acquisition of human, social, and cultural capital at the individual and school level affects 2- and 4-year college attendance. Results highlight the normative role of high schools in promoting college enrollment, particularly the role of socioeconomics, academic preparation, and access to parent, peer, and college-linking networks. This study advances our understanding of the secondary-postsecondary nexus and has implications for policies and practices aimed at realizing the current administration’s promise of providing greater access to postsecondary education for all students.
LLC performance enhancements with frequency and phase shift modulation control

This paper presents an algorithm that uses a combination of frequency modulation (FM) and phase shift modulation (PSM) to enhance both the controllability and efficiency of an LLC dc-dc converter. It will be shown that, the proper “marriage” of FM and PSM will result in the ability to support a wider range of operating conditions without comprising efficiency or control monotonicity. These operating points include but are not limited to: monotonic start up, light load regulation, high input voltage, constant-current and constant-power.
Rapid and simultaneous activation of Stat3 and production of interleukin 6 in resuscitated hemorrhagic shock

The inflammatory response of the liver to hemorrhagic shock includes the production of acute phase proteins and a variety of mediators, such as the cytokine interleukin (IL)-6. The transcription of acute phase protein genes in hepatocytes has been shown to be activated by Stat3, one of six distinct signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins. IL-6 signals through activation of Stat3. In this study, we examined whether or not Stat3 was activated and IL-6 mRNA produced in the liver of rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock and whether or not both phases of shock, the ischemic and the resuscitation phases, were required. We report here that Stat3 activation and increased IL-6 expression required resuscitation and displayed identical kinetics following resuscitation, suggesting that liver production of IL-6 was responsible for liver Stat3 activation in hemorrhagic shock.
Circadian Biology: The Supporting Cast Takes On a Starring Role

Brain circuits are generally thought to consist solely of neurons communicating with other neurons. In Drosophila, glia-to-neuron signaling has now been shown to be critical to the function of the circadian circuit.
Self-Perception Differences Among Kibbutz and City Adults in Israel and Jewish and Non-Jewish Adults in the United States

Summary With use of a sample of five kibbutzim and subjects from three cities in Israel, the hypothesis investigated was that the adults in the kibbutz would obtain higher scores than the other subjects in their perceptions of the past and present on the Self-Anchoring Striving Scale. These responses were compared to those of two groups from the United States, Jewish and non-Jewish. The total sample consisted of 160 Ss with 40 Ss in each of the four groups. It was also hypothesized that there would be less discrepancy in the perceptions of the future as compared to the past and present between Israeli and United States Ss. The hypotheses presented were supported by the data. The kibbutz sample in expressing hopes and aspirations had a significantly higher number of Ss that desired world peace than the other three samples. The Israeli city sample in responding to aspirations had a significantly greater number of responses than the kibbutz for the following categories: having a good job, owning a house, and...
The sclerosing variant of adenoid cystic carcinoma. A previously unrecognized neoplasm of major salivary glands

We report 2 cases of a previously unrecognized sclerosing variant of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of major salivary glands. One of the tumors arose in the parotid and the other in the submaxillary gland of young adult patients. The tumors were composed predominantly of varying-sized large sclerotic and hypocellular nodules containing myoepithelial cells and pseudovascular spaces, most likely the result of artifactual retraction. In moderately cellular nodules, there were numerous small globules or spherules surrounded by myoepithelial cells similar to those of collagenous or mucinous spherulosis. Focal cribriform areas and ductal structures lined by epithelial cells were also identified. Both tumors showed perineural invasion. Electron microscopy revealed that both large nodules and small globules or spherules were composed of excessive amounts of basement membrane and thick-banded collagen fibers. The myoepithelial cells showed immunoreactivity for smooth muscle actin (SMA), S100 protein, and vimentin. Collagen IV showed variable reactivity in both the large nodules and small spherules. More cases of the sclerosing variant of ACC and long-term follow-up of the patients are needed to determine the biologic behavior of this unusual but distinctive variant of ACC.
Appropriate use of noninvasive vascular measures in the prevention of arterial disease

Editor–in–Chief, The Journal of Clinical Lipidology, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Internal Medicine Emory University School of Medicine, 1670 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30033 (Dr. W.V. Brown); Director, Midwest Heart Disease Prevention Center and Interventional Cardiologist Midwest Heart Specialists, Naperville, IL, USA and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Loyola Stritch School of Medicine (Dr. A.S. Brown); Professor of Medicine and Radiology Director Cardiac Imaging Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA (Dr. Raggi); Director of Preventive Cardiology, Emory Clinic and Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiology), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA (Dr. Sperling)
Smoking Cessation Among African American and White Smokers in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System

Objectives. We examined whether a proactive care smoking cessation intervention designed to overcome barriers to treatment would be especially effective at increasing cessation among African Americans receiving care in the Veterans Health Administration.Methods. We analyzed data from a randomized controlled trial, the Veterans Victory over Tobacco study, involving a population-based electronic registry of current smokers (702 African Americans, 1569 Whites) and assessed 6-month prolonged smoking abstinence at 1 year via a follow-up survey of all current smokers. We also examined candidate risk adjustors for the race effect on smoking abstinence.Results. The interaction between patient race and intervention condition (proactive care vs usual care) was not significant. Overall, African Americans had higher quit rates than Whites (13% vs 9%; P < .006) regardless of condition.Conclusions. African Americans quit at higher rates than Whites. These findings may be a result of the large number of veterans receivi...
Clinical designs of recent robot rehabilitation trials

Rehabilitation robots are increasingly being tested and promoted for clinical neurorehabilitation. Compared with conventional and manual methods, robots allow for a variety of advantages, particularly in the areas of interventional control and the ability to provide a high volume of facilitated movement. Since 1997, there have been more than 60 clinical trials reporting the use of two dozen different robots for neurorehabilitation. Although there are a number of smaller pilot studies, there are only few larger clinical trials. There may be a number of reasons why pilot robot studies do not materialize into larger studies. Beyond devices that failed to perform as intended, what are the clinical design issues that have limited these studies? Some basic considerations include randomization, inclusion of a control group, power calculation based on a clinically meaningful outcome, and finally, reproducible descriptions of the intervention being tested. Although many of these issues are general challenges presented for all rehabilitation studies, there are clinical design features that would likely greatly improve interpretation of results and better position robot devices toward the next clinical trial step. On the other hand, the absence of these elements, even in the setting of a pilot study, may significantly hamper the interpretation of results and not yield sufficient information on treatment effects, adverse event rates, dropout rate, and so on, to allow further testing to proceed to follow-up Food and Drug Administration phase II and III studies. Development of rehabilitation robots for clinical use needs to occur hand in hand with well-conducted clinical trials to provide evidence of efficacy while also taking into account costs.
Monitoring neonatal bilirubinemia using an optical patch

Hyperbiirubinemia is a serious condition affecting many neonates, andthere is a clinical need to monitor the bilirubin levels in susceptible infants. Transcutaneous bilirubinometry by means of an optical patch taped onto the skin would offer an inexpensive, non-invasive method to measure the bilirubin levels in infants. Such a system should give reliable bilirubin readings invariant with the melanin pigmentation, water content, and condition of the skin. We have determined the optical properties of neonatal skin. We are using these optical properties to create scaled phantom models of the skin, and to conduct Monte Carlo computer simulations of light propagation in skin. These models are being used to study how reflectance spectroscopy is affected by the spatial distribution of absorbing chromophores in the skin, and by the wavelength dependence of light collection.
Toward a Coherent View of Evaluation

The view of evaluation presented here is based on the expansion of outcome evaluation to include estimations of unintended outcomes. Projections of these outcomes into thefuture are also part of the expanded scope of outcome evaluation. Once identified as either private, merit, or public goods, benefit-cost analysis is then used to estimate the economic values of both types of projected outcomes. Human rights are identified as a separate way of valuing projected outcomes, distinct from, and in addition to, their monetary worth. In both cases we are interested in the impact of all discernable outcomes, so valued, on the level and distribution of income and rights. Kuhn's systems model of organizations is offered as a way of specifying the organizational function of evaluation. Essentially, evaluation provides information on the interaction of the organization, as a system, with its environment. This information is used by decision-makers to adaptively respond to the environmental conditions of the organization.
The effects of chronic mercuric chloride ingestion in female Sprague–Dawley rats on fertility and reproduction

Thirty-days-old female rats were chronically exposed, for 60 days, to 1or 2 mg/kg/day of mercuric chloride or an equivalent volume of water, via gavage. At 90 days of age they were mated with unexposed males. At approximately day 13 of gestation necropsies were performed on the females. Data were collected on the number of implantations and non-viable implantations in the uterus. No physical signs of Hg intoxication were seen except in weight gain. There were significantly fewer implantations in the high HgCl2 group, with significantly more non-viable implantations in the low and high HgCl2 groups, compared to controls. Lower levels of progesterone and higher levels of pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) were found in the high HgCl2 group compared to controls, whereas pituitary follicle stimulating hormone levels (FSH), while not significant, showed a dose–response relationship to HgCl2 levels. No difference was found in the number of corpora lutea. The experiment indicated low level chronic ingestion of mercuric chloride, in female rats, while not effecting ovulation, produced disruption of implantation and fetal viability. Lower progesterone levels, higher LH, and possibly FSH levels, indicate that mercuric chloride may have a disruptive effect in the corpora lutea which manifests itself after ovulation.
Effect of CO2 on short-term human lymphocyte culture in vitro.

There was no significant difference in the mitotic indices of the cultures maintained at different CO2 concentrations, i.e. 0%, 5% and 10%. However, considerable variation was recorded among different individuals.
Refractive Index Effects For Shocked Windows In Interface Velocimetry

An analysis is presented that specifies the corrections necessary when velocity interferometic measurements are made of surfaces viewed through shocked window materials. The analysis is performed in a Lagrangian (material) coordinate system, is limited to one-dimensional planar, cylindrical and spherical flow conditions, assumes the index of refraction, n, depends on the density, p, alone and is taken in the classical limit. In all cases of cylindrical and spherical geometry and for unfavorable n(p) dependencies in planar geometry, the relationship between the apparent and true interface velocities includes a term that must be integrated through the flow from the interface to the shock front. Determination of the true velocity history of an arbitrary wave thereby requires an iterative procedure of working the entire hydrodynamic problem. It is shown that the integral terms are eliminated by planar geometry and a refractive index dependence μe = μ0 -k(1-e) where μ = n-1, e = po/p, the sub-o denotes the unshocked state, and k, is a constant. Results from Fabry-Perot velocity interferometer measurements are presented to demonstrate various predictions of the analysis and to indicate that several alkali halides exhibit the special refractive index property cited above.
THE CONSERVED LYMPHOKINE ELEMENT-0 IN THE IL5 PROMOTER BINDS TO A HIGH MOBILITY GROUP-1 PROTEIN

The conserved lymphokine elements-0 (CLE0) in the IL5 promoter is essential for the expression of IL-5. Here, we report the cloning and expression of a cDNA encoding a novel CLE0-binding protein, CLEBP-1 from a mouse Th2 clone, D10.G4.1. Interestingly, it was found that the CLEBP1 cDNA sequence was almost identical to the sequences of known high mobility group-1 (HMG1) cDNAs. When expressed as a recombinant fusion protein in Escherichia coli, CLEBP-1 was shown to bind to the IL5-CLE0 element in electrophoretic mobility-shift assays (EMSA) and southwestern blot analysis. The CLEBP-1 fusion protein cross-reacts with and-HMG-1/2 in Western blot analysis. It also binds to the CLE0 elements of IL4, GMCSF and GCSF genes. CLEBP-1 and closely related HMG-1 and HMG-2 proteins may play key roles in facilitating the expression of the lymphokine genes that contain CLE0 elements.
Injection-locked Fabry-Pérot laser for true linear intensity modulation

A high speed intensity modulator with a linear transfer function is one of the key components in signal processing, optical communication and in high performance photonic analog to digital converters (ADC) for advanced Radar systems. Typically two types of modulators are available: electro-absorption and electro-optic modulators. The former has a linear response and large bandwidth but they are sensitive to temperature and wavelength changes and they cannot handle high optical power. The latter provides high speed modulation, high optical power handling and good bias stability but exhibits weak voltage sensitivity and a nonlinear transfer function which limits the spur free dynamic range [1].
Adsorption of C4-dicarboxylic acids at the hematite/water interface.

The adsorption at the hematite/water interface of a suite of C4-dicarboxylic acids (maleic, fumaric, and succinic acids) that differ with respect to the orientation of the carboxylic acid groups was studied using in situ attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and batch adsorption experiments. Results of phthalic acid adsorption under similar experimental conditions from our previous study were compared with those observed for the C4-dicarboxylic acids. The batch adsorption experiments suggest that the orientation of the two carboxylic groups and pKa values of the organic acids noticeably influence the adsorption density as well as the position and characteristics of the pH adsorption edges. In particular, the adsorption capacity of fumaric acid was much lower than that observed for the other organic acids. The ATR-FTIR results also suggest that the adsorption modes of the organic acids on hematite depend on the orientation of the two carboxylic functional groups. S...
Male Quality and Female Choice of Mate in the Red‐Winged Blackbird (Agelaius Phoeniceus)

Male Red-winged Blackbird pairing success was studied to determine the role of male quality in female choice of territory and mate. Data on date of first nest, harem size, and proportion of territorial males surviving to subsequent breeding seasons did not support the hypothesis that territory quality alone determines female choice of mate. Male reproductive experience and body size were significantly positively correlated with harem size, but correlations between male age and harem size, and male courtship intensity and harem size, appeared to occur because females preferred territories defended by experienced males. There was no evidence that male aggressive tendencies influenced female choice of mate. Although these data indicate that females were influenced by male characteristics, it is suggested that a complex interaction of male and territory quality determines female choice of mate in the Red-winged Blackbird.
Multigrid Method for the Euler and Navier-Stokes Equations

Results are presented of a study to implement convergence acceleration techniques based on the multigrid concept in a three-dimensional computer code developed for solving Euler and Navier ‐Stokes equations. The multigrid method implemented is the full approximation storage ‐full multigrid algorithm, which is applicable to nonlinear equations. Multigrid convergence estimates based on a single-grid or bigrid stability analysis are performed. The latter was found to yield a better prediction of practical multigrid convergence rates. In typical applications, for both laminar and turbulent e ows, savings of up to 50 % in CPU time were obtained with the multigrid implementation.
Against musical platonism

Presentation et critique de plusieurs versions du platonisme musical qui etablit un rapport abstrait entre l'oeuvre musicale et son interpretation. Rejetant les theories de R. Wollheim et N. Wolterstorff, l'A. developpe le concept d'intention pour designer l'intention de l'interprete comme condition suffisante de l'interpretation de l'oeuvre elle-meme
An eruptive history of Maderas volcano using new 40Ar/39Ar ages and geochemical analyses

Maderas volcano is a small, andesitic stratovolcano located on the island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua, Nicaragua, with no record of historic activity. Twenty-one samples were collected in 2010 from lava flows of Maderas. The selected samples were analyzed for whole-rock geochemistry using ICP-AES and/or were dated using the 40Ar/39Ar method. The results of these analyses were combined with previously collected data from Maderas as well as field observations to determine the eruptive history of the volcano and create a geologic map. The results of the geochemical analyses indicate that Maderas has higher concentrations of alkalies than most Nicaraguan and Costa Rican volcanoes including its nearest neighbor, Concepcion volcano. It is also different from Concepcion in that it displays higher incompatible elements. Determined age dates range from 179.2 ± 16.4 ka to 70.5 ± 6.1 ka. Based on these ages and the geomorphology of the volcano which is characterized by a bisecting graben, it is proposed that Maderas experienced two generations of development: initial build-up of the older cone including pre-graben lava flows, followed by post-graben lava flows. The ages also indicate that Maderas is markedly older than Concepcion which is historically active. Volcanic hazards were also assessed. The 40Ar/39Ar ages indicate that Maderas has likely been inactive for tens of thousands of years and future volcanic eruptions are not considered an immediate hazard. However, earthquake and lahar hazards exist for the communities around the volcano. The steep slopes of the eroded older cone are the most likely sources of lahar hazards.
Prognostic Value of Treadmill Exercise Testing A Population-Based Study in Olmsted County, Minnesota

Background—The prognostic value of treadmill exercise testing (TMET) has been studied in selected populations. The generalizability of these data to different populations and to women is uncertain. Methods and Results—A retrospective, population-based cohort study of all persons (1452 men and 741 women) who underwent TMET in years 1987 to 1989 in Olmsted County, Minnesota, was undertaken. Individuals were followed up for all-cause mortality and cardiac events (cardiac deaths, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or congestive heart failure). Sex-specific analyses were performed to determine whether the predictors of outcome and the magnitude of the associations were similar in both sexes. In men, 77 deaths and 106 cardiac events occurred during 8956 person-years of observation; in women, 46 deaths and 54 cardiac events occurred during 4801 person-years of follow-up. Exercise-induced angina, ECG changes, and workload achieved on the TMET were strongly associated with all-cause mortality and cardiac events in bo...
Induction and maintenance of increased VEGF protein by chronic motor nerve stimulation in skeletal muscle

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) causes endothelial cell proliferation in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo. Glycolytic skeletal muscles have a lower capillary density than oxidative muscles ...
Reliability of microelectronic packages with tin-plated copper leads under high humidity operating environment

Lead frame is the primary package metallurgical bond pad interface in microelectronic devices which provides external interconnection. The most predominant lead frame material is copper with tin plating. Over the years, galvanic corrosion and copper oxidation are two main reliability concerns for any microelectronics packages with copper lead frame, when operating under high humidity environment. In our reliability lab, we frequently encountered corrosion and oxidation on the leads backside of certain devices which had undergone autoclave stress. Often, this observation is correlated to the rise in drain-to-source on-resistance. Failure analysis result revealed that non-homogeneous tin plating is the contributing factor. In the past, our operators utilized conventional cleaning method, that is, polished leads backside with sandpaper followed by acetone rinse. Nevertheless, this could not remedy the problem effectively. We have performed research study to prove that solder dip is a better solution to eliminate corrosion and oxidation away from the leads.
Fluorous Mixture Synthesis (FMS) of Drug‐like Molecules and Enantiomers, Stereoisomers, and Analogues of Natural Products

Mother nature is a good resource for new molecules; over 10 000 natural products are isolated each year [1]. Historically, natural products have provided a good number of leads for the development of new drugs [2]. However, since natural products are commonly screened as an extraction mixture, deconvolution of an active component and structural characterization are difficult tasks. In addition, isolation of natural products has a long cycle time and is considered expensive [3]. These limitations have prompted efforts to synthesize natural product analogues and natural-product-like compounds for biological screening and quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) studies. Besides natural products, synthetic small molecules are another source of drug candidates. Drug-like synthetic molecules usually have privileged structures such as indole, benzopyran, and benzodiazepinone rings [4]. Compared with natural products, drug-like synthetic small compounds tend to have more aromatic rings, planar molecular structures, and few stereogenic centers. They usually have appropriate size and hydrogen-bonding capacity to bind in the active-site pockets of biological targets. Chemical stability and
Critical pathogenic events underlying progression of neurodegeneration in glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a common optic neuropathy with a complex etiology often linked to sensitivity to intraocular pressure. Though the precise mechanisms that mediate or transduce this sensitivity are not clear, the axon of the retinal ganglion cell appears to be vulnerable to disease-relevant stressors early in progression. One reason may be because the axon is generally thin for both its unmyelinated and myelinated segment and much longer than the thicker unmyelinated axons of other excitatory retinal neurons. This difference may predispose the axon to metabolic and oxidative injury, especially at distal sites where pre-synaptic terminals form connections in the brain. This idea is consistent with observations of early loss of anterograde transport at central targets and other signs of distal axonopathy that accompany physiological indicators of progression. Outright degeneration of the optic projection ensues after a critical period and, at least in animal models, is highly sensitive to cumulative exposure to elevated pressure in the eye. Stress emanating from the optic nerve head can induce not only distal axonopathy with aspects of dying back neuropathy, but also Wallerian degeneration of the optic nerve and tract and a proximal program involving synaptic and dendritic pruning in the retina. Balance between progressive and acute mechanisms likely varies with the level of stress placed on the unmyelinated axon as it traverses the nerve head, with more acute insult pushing the system toward quicker disassembly. A constellation of signaling factors likely contribute to the transduction of stress to the axon, so that degenerative events along the length of the optic projection progress in retinotopic fashion. This pattern leads to well-defined sectors of functional depletion, even at distal-most sites in the pathway. While ganglion cell somatic drop-out is later in progression, some evidence suggests that synaptic and dendritic pruning in the retina may be a more dynamic process. Structural persistence both in the retina and in central projection sites offers the possibility that intrinsic self-repair pathways counter pathogenic mechanisms to delay as long as possible outright loss of tissue.
Analytical Model of Ground Motion Pulses for the Design and Assessment of Seismic Protective Systems

In this paper, an analytical pulse model for velocity pulses observed in near-field ground motions has been proposed for a systematic design and assessment of seismic protective systems. The proposed pulse model utilizes pulse period, decay factor, and shape parameters to model both buildup and decaying phases observed in recorded ground motions. It is demonstrated that the proposed model can successfully simulate observed ground motion pulses. Peak displacement, velocity, and acceleration of the analytical pulse model are directly correlated with peak ground motion parameters and the pulse period. The response spectra and displacement reduction factor using the pulse model correlate well with those using recorded ground motions for structural periods close to or longer than the pulse period, although there is lesser correlation for shorter structural periods because of exclusion of high frequency components in the pulse model. For a base-isolated building with 2.5 s natural period and equipped with supplemental viscous dampers, it is demonstrated that supplemental dampers are the most effective when the structural period is close to the pulse period. Displacement reduction using supplemental passive dampers is smaller when the pulse period is longer or shorter than the structural period, although the displacement demand is quite significant.
A Multidomain TIGR/Olfactomedin Protein Family with Conserved Structural Similarity in the N-terminal Region and Conserved Motifs in the C-terminal Region

Based on the similarity between the TIGR (trabecular-meshwork inducible glucocorticoid response) (also known as myocilin) and olfactomedin protein families identified throughout the length of the TIGR protein, we have identified more distantly related proteins to determine the elements essential to the function/structure of the TIGR and olfactomedin proteins. Using a sequence walk method and the Shotgun program, we have identified a family including 31 olfactomedin domain-containing sequences. Multiple sequence alignments and secondary structure analyses were used to identify conserved sequence elements. Pairwise identity in the olfactomedin domain ranges from 8 to 64%, with an average pairwise identity of 24%. The N-terminal regions of the proteins fall into two subgroups, one including the TIGR and olfactomedin families and another group of apparently unrelated domains. The TIGR and olfactomedin sequences display conserved motifs including a residual leucine zipper region and maintain a similar secondary structure throughout the N-terminal region. The correlation between conserved elements and disease-associated mutations and apparent polymorphisms in human TIGR was also examined to evaluate the apparent importance of conserved residues to the function/structure of TIGR. Several residues have been identified as essential to the function and/or structure of the human TIGR protein based on their degree of conservation across the family and their implication in the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma. Additionally, we have identified a group of chitinase sequences containing several of the highly conserved motifs present in the C-terminal region of the olfactomedin domain-containing sequences.
μ-Peroxodicobalt(III) complexes containing aromatic ligands

Abstract A series of new μ-peroxodicobalt(III) complexes have been prepared and characterized. Studies of the chemical and physical properties of these complexes were carried out using IR, electronic and NMR spectroscopy along with conductivity, magnetic susceptibility and thermogravimetric measurements. The complexes [Co 2 (dpk·dien) 2 (dpk·H 2 O)O 2 ] (ClO 4 ) 4 ·H 2 O, [Co 2 (dpk) 4 (py) 2 O 2 ](ClO 4 ) 4 ·4H 2 O, [Co 2 (dpk·H 2 O 4 (py) 2 O 2 ] (ClO 4 ) 4 , and [Co 2 (dpk) 2 (terpy) 2 O 2 ](ClO 4 ) 4 were prepared by bubbling oxygen through a solution containing Co(NO 3 ) 2 , NaClO 4 , and the appropriate ligand mixture. Electronic spectral studies are consistent with the formulation as binuclear peroxo complexes. Thermogravimetric studies reveal the stoichiometric loss of O 2 and H 2 O below 100°C. The auxiliary ligands, pyridine (py), diethylenetriamine (dien) and terpyridine (terpy) are lost at higher temperatures. Molar conductance of these complexes is indicative of a 4:1 electrolyte while magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate the diamagnetic character of the above four complexes. Three additional complexes of Co(II) containing di-2-pyridyl ketone (dpk) and terpy were prepared to compare spectral changes upon oxygenation.
Drug-eluting polymer implants in cancer therapy.

Background: Drug-eluting polymer implants present a compelling parenteral route of administration for cancer chemotherapy. With potential for minimally invasive, image-guided placement and highly localized drug release, these delivery systems are playing an increasingly important role in cancer management. This is particularly true as the use of labile proteins and other bioactive molecules is likely to increase in the upcoming years. Objective: In this review, we present the current trends in the application of Pre-formed and in situ-forming systems as drug-eluting implants for cancer chemotherapy. Methods: We outline the clinically available options as well as up-and-coming technologies and their advantages and challenges. We also describe ongoing related innovations with image-guided drug delivery, mathematical modeling of implanted delivery systems and implanted drug delivery in combination with other therapies. Results/conclusion: Whether used alone or combined with other minimally invasive procedure...
Analysis of differentiation of mouse hemopoietic stem cells in culture by sequential replating of paired progenitors

Blast cell colonies seen in cultures of spleen cells from 5-fluorouracil-treated mice provide a highly enriched population of primitive hemopoietic progenitors. Our recent studies of the differentiation potentials of the paired daughter cells of these progenitors showed different patterns of differentiation in the colonies produced by the separated daughter cells. In this study, we carried out sequential micromanipulation of paired progenitors followed by cytologic examinations of the colonies derived from these progenitors. Of the total 94 evaluable cultures, consisting of three or more colonies, 52 consisted of macrophage colonies and one consisted of megakaryocyte colonies. In the remaining 41 cultures, diverse combinations of colonies revealing heterogeneous compositions of cell lineages were identified. Presumptive genealogic trees of the differentiation of hemopoietic progenitors constructed for the latter group of cultures suggested that monopotent progenitors may be derived from pluripotent progenitors in two ways: (1) directly during one cell division of pluripotent cells or (2) as a result of progressive lineage restriction during successive division of the pluripotent progenitors. The results also suggested that some of the oligopotent progenitors are capable of limited self-renewal.
At Home in the Field: From Objects to Lifecycles

In this paper, we explore how biographies of domestic objects are intertwined with the personal biographies of their owners and caretakers, narratives of household formation, and the life cycle of the family, and how we position the value of this work to business planners and engineers at Intel Corporation. By being curious and interested in objects in people's homes and listening carefully to the narratives people tell about them, we create moving pictures of culturally-inflected constructions of individuals' and groups' lifecycles which in turn demonstrates how ‘objects’ are not ‘objective’, but always constituted and given meaning through relationships with and among people. At Intel Corporation, understanding life cycle transitions mediated by domestic objects deepens our knowledge both of technology in domestic spaces and of our current and potential customers and is an integral part of the development of technologies that enable experiences people will value.
Coagulation complicating cardiopulmonary bypass in a patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia receiving the heparinoid, danaparoid sodium

EPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA (HIT) is an increasingly recognized entity in the setting of acute cardiac care. 1,2 It is the result of an immunologic response to the circulating exogenous cofactor to antithrombin III, heparin. 1 It manifests as thrombocytopenia after heparin exposure, with 30% of patients with HIT developing paradoxical intravascular thrombosis. As a result, patients presenting with HIT for cardiac surgery and systemic anticoagulation represent a difficult clinical problem. There are several ways to deal with the obligatory anticoagulation in such patients presenting for cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)) 11 The case of a patient with HIT who received the heparinoid, danaparoid sodium (Org 10172; Organon Inc, West Orange, NJ), as an alternative anticoagulant and who had catastrophic intravascular coagulation involving the CPB circuit during CPB is reported. Although several case reports exist demonstrating the successful use of heparinoid in CPB, 4,5A2,13 this report describes a near-fatal complication and its management.
Constraints on Mechanized Treatment Significantly Limit Mechanical Fuels Reduction Extent in the Sierra Nevada

With air quality, liability, and safety concerns, prescribed burning and managed wildfire are often considered impractical treatments for extensive fuels reduction in western US forests. For California’s Sierra Nevada forests, we evaluated the alternative and analyzed the amount and distribution of constraints on mechanical fuels treatments on USDA Forest Service land. With the use of current standards and guides, feedback from practicing silviculturists, and GIS databases, we developed a hierarchy of biological (i.e., nonproductive forest), legal (i.e., wilderness), operational (i.e., equipment access), and administrative (i.e., sensitive species and riparian areas) constraints. Of the Sierra Nevada Bioregion’s 10.7 million acres in USDA Forest Service ownership, 58% contains productive forest and 25% is available to mechanical treatment. National forests in the southern Sierra Nevada have higher levels of constraint due to more wilderness and steeper, more remote terrain. We evaluated different levels of operational constraints and found that increasing road building and operating on steeper slopes had less effect on increasing mechanical access than removing economic considerations (i.e., accessing sites regardless of timber volume). Constraints due to sensitive species habitat and riparian areas only reduced productive forest access by 8%. We divided the Sierra Nevada Bioregion into 710 subwatersheds (mean size of 22,800 acres) with 25% Forest Service ownership as an approximation of a relevant management planning unit for fire or “fireshed.” Only 20% of these subwatersheds had enough unconstrained acreage to effectively contain or suppress wildfire with mechanical treatment alone. Analysis suggests mechanical treatment in most subwatersheds could be more effective if it established a fuel-reduced “anchor” from which prescribed and managed fire could be strategically expanded. With potential future increases in wildfire size and severity, fire policy and forest restoration might benefit if mechanical thinning is more widely used to leverage and complement managed fire.
The angle mouse: target-agnostic dynamic gain adjustment based on angular deviation

We present a novel method of dynamic C-D gain adaptation that improves target acquisition for users with motor impairments. Our method, called the Angle Mouse, adjusts the mouse C-D gain based on the deviation of angles sampled during movement. When angular deviation is low, the gain is kept high. When angular deviation is high, the gain is dropped, making the target bigger in motor-space. A key feature of the Angle Mouse is that, unlike most pointing facilitation techniques, it is target-agnostic, requiring no knowledge of target locations or dimensions. This means that the problem of distractor targets is avoided because adaptation is based solely on the user's behavior. In a study of 16 people, 8 of which had motor impairments, we found that the Angle Mouse improved motor-impaired pointing throughput by 10.3% over the Windows default mouse and 11.0% over sticky icons. For able-bodied users, there was no significant difference among the three techniques, as Angle Mouse throughput was within 1.2% of the default. Thus, the Angle Mouse improved pointing performance for users with motor impairments while remaining unobtrusive for able-bodied users.
Antiplatelet Agents in Ischemic Heart Disease

Antiplatelet agents comprise a critical component in the multi-modality treatment of ischemic heart disease. In addition to anticholesterol, beta-blocking, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibiting agents as well as mechanical intervention, platelet inhibition has resulted in improved outcomes for patients with ischemic heart disease. Platelet aggregation and resultant thrombus formation is a multi-step process with several points of potential intervention. As this pathway has been elucidated, more opportunities to intervene pharmacologically have become apparent.
Compensation of plant variations in optimal control systems

Control of a linear plant, with bounded control input, may be implemented by constructing a control law generator which produces the optimal control as a function of the state variables. If the plant parameters differ from their nominal values, then maintaining optimal control by changing the control law generator is inconvenient since the control law is usually nonlinear. It is shown that in certain cases optimal control can be maintained without changing the control law generator. This is accomplished by using a linear transformation of state variables as the input to the control law generator. The variations of the plant are compensated for by changing the linear transformation. The conditions under which this is possible are established in this paper. The advantage of this system is that a change in a linear function is easier to implement than a change in a nonlinear function. It is shown how this system can be incorporated into an adaptive system which compensates for plant variations.
Standing out in a crowd: knockout of ApoE increases the potency of endothelium-dependent vasodilators in mesenteric arteries.

This editorial refers to ‘Enhanced K+-channel-mediated endothelium-dependent local and conducted dilation of small mesenteric arteries from ApoE −/− mice’ by T. Beleznai et al. , pp. 199–208, this issue. Hypercholesterolaemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and a number of prior studies have shown that endothelium-dependent vasodilation is compromised in animal models of this condition1–4 as well as in humans.5–7 The study by Beleznai et al .8 goes against this trend and demonstrates that small mesenteric arteries from apolipoprotein E -knockout ( ApoE−/− ) mice are actually more sensitive to endothelium-dependent vasodilators than are vessels from wild-type mice. Increased vasodilator potency has been previously reported in other models of dyslipidaemia, but only after inhibition of NO and prostaglandin synthesis.9–11 These studies clearly demonstrate that there is significant regional heterogeneity in the vascular adaptation to loss of ApoE, which has implications for the design and application of drugs and therapies directed at combating the vascular consequences of hypercholesterolaemia. What remains to be established are the mechanisms responsible for the increased potency of endothelium-dependent vasodilators in small mesenteric …
Music and the Language of Love: Seventeenth Century French Airs by Catherine Gordon-Seifert

Catherine Gordon-Seifert's book, Music and the Language of Love: Seventeenth Century French Airs, is a valuable addition to the literature on music of that period. The author sets her work apart fr...