cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Priming Interleukin 8 Production: Role of Platelet-Activating Factor and p38

Hypothesis Platelet-activating factor (PAF) activates p38, an important intracellular signal transduction kinase, and primes human mononuclear cells for the production of interleukin 8 (IL-8), a potent chemoattractant and activator of neutrophils. Methods Human mononuclear cells were isolated from healthy adults by Ficoll-paque density-gradient centrifugation. Interleukin-8 in the supernatant was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dual phospho-specific p38 antibody was used to detect activated p38 by Western blotting. Results Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and PAF activated p38. There was a shorter latency to peak p38 activation with PAF vs LPS stimulation, 5 vs 30 minutes. Platelet-activating factor–induced p38 activation was calcium dependent because it was inhibited by ethyleneglycoltetracetic acid. Lipopolysaccharide, 0.01 to 1.00 ng/mL, induced significant IL-8 production. Although PAF did not induce significant IL-8 production, it potentiated LPS-induced IL-8 production. Production of IL-8, in response to LPS alone or in combination with PAF, was inhibited by SB202190, a specific p38 inhibitor. Conclusions Although LPS and PAF activated p38, only LPS induced IL-8 production; PAF acted as a priming agent. It seems that p38 activation is necessary but not sufficient for IL-8 production by human mononuclear cells. Identifying and evaluating the activation state of inflammatory signal transduction pathways might lead to methods for controlling and preventing neutrophil-induced tissue injury without interfering with the normal host immune response.
The human capacity to transmit olfactory information

Monell Chemical Senses Center and Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Human Communication University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 Previous estimates of the capacity of the olfactory channel are uniformly low. Either olfaction is considerably more limited than vision and audition or its capacity has been underestimated. It was suggested that underestimation may be due to use of stimuli having low levels of information or lack of laboratory training. Here, whole odors from objects were used. Naive Ss performed at levels consistent with earlier reports, and evidenced effects of prior experience in identifying the odors. With training, a much greater capacity than found previously was observed. It appears that the odors of single compounds and objects differ in information, dimensionality, or patterning, much like color patches and pictures or tones and words differ.
Phasic inhibition of dopamine uptake in nucleus accumbens induced by intravenous cocaine in freely behaving rats.

Abstract A new approach combining fast-scan cyclic voltammetry with iontophoretic dopamine delivery was used in freely behaving rats to evaluate the time-course of dopamine uptake inhibition in nucleus accumbens induced by intravenous cocaine at a dose (1.0 mg/kg) known to maintain self-administration behavior. Cocaine significantly increased the decay time of the dopamine response without altering its magnitude or time to peak. An increase in decay time was evident at 2 min, peaked at 6 min (+87%), and decreased to baseline at 18 min after a single cocaine injection. The change in decay time was similar in all rats and remained essentially the same, albeit slightly larger, for subsequent cocaine injections both within a session and over repeated sessions. The change in dopamine decay time did not correlate with cocaine-induced motor activation, which was maximal during the first minute after injection and decreased slowly over the next 20 min. Our data provide direct evidence for a phasic change in dopamine uptake induced by intravenous cocaine under behaviorally relevant conditions. The relatively slow and gradual development of dopamine uptake inhibition, which peaks at times when behaving rats self-inject cocaine, is inconsistent with the suggested role of this mechanism in the acute rewarding (euphoric) effects of self-injected cocaine, but supports its role in the activational and motivational aspects of drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior. Because intravenous cocaine enters the brain rapidly and peaks in neural tissue (1–2 min) long before it effectively inhibits dopamine uptake (6 min), it appears that some of the acute psychoemotional (“rush”), behavioral, autonomic, and neuronal effects of this drug, which are apparently resistant to dopamine receptor blockade, are mediated via rapid central or peripheral mechanisms independent of monoamine uptake.
Modeling the reversible, diffusive sink effect in response to transient contaminant sources

A physically based diffusion model is used to evaluate the sink effect of diffusion-controlled indoor materials and to predict the transient contaminant concentration in indoor air in response to several time-varying contaminant sources. For simplicity, it is assumed the predominant indoor material is a homogeneous slab, initially free of contaminant, and the air within the room is well mixed. The model enables transient volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations to be predicted based on the material/air partition coefficient (K) and the material-phase diffusion coefficient (D) of the sink. Model predictions are made for three scenarios, each mimicking a realistic situation in a building. Styrene, phenol, and naphthalene are used as representative VOCs. A styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) backed carpet, vinyl flooring (VF), and a polyurethane foam (PUF) carpet cushion are considered as typical indoor sinks. In scenarios involving a sinusoidal VOC input and a double exponential decaying input, the model predicts the sink has a modest impact for SBR/styrene, but the effect increases for VF/phenol and PUF/naphthalene. In contrast, for an episodic chemical spill, SBR is predicted to reduce the peak styrene concentration considerably. A parametric study reveals for systems involving a large equilibrium constant (K), the kinetic constant (D) will govern the shape of the resulting gasphase concentration profile. On the other hand, for systems with a relaxed mass transfer resistance, K will dominate the profile.
Successful Transfer of Open Surgical Skills to a Laparoscopic Environment Using a Robotic Interface: Initial Experience With Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

ABSTRACTPurpose: For a skilled laparoscopic surgeon the learning curve for achieving proficiency with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) is estimated at 40 to 60 cases. For the laparoscopically naive surgeon the curve is estimated at 80 to 100 cases. The development of a robotic interface might significantly shorten the LRP learning curve for an experienced open yet naive laparoscopic surgeon. To our knowledge we report the initial experience with robot assisted LRP of a surgeon without laparoscopic experience.Materials and Methods: Following a 1-day da Vinci (Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, California) robotic laparoscopic training course and 2 cadaveric robotic LRPs an experienced oncologist (TEA) without laparoscopic experience performed 45 robotic LRPs.Results: All procedures were successfully completed laparoscopically with no rectal injuries or transfusions. The learning curve to 4-hour proficiency was 12 patients and mean operating time subsequently was 3.45 hours (range 2.5 to 5.1). Mean ...
Gear Tribology Aspects in Aircraft High-Lift Actuation Systems

Gears are extensively used in aircraft high-lift actuation systems in which the loading is high and the speed is relatively slow. The specific lubrication film thickness falls into the boundary lubrication regime. In case of lubrication failure, it will cause pitch-line pitting, scoring or micropitting. Many tests have been performed to examine the root cause of these problems. The sliding and rolling action between mating gears in a compound planetary rotary actuator is the source of variation in efficiency. This efficiency variation can be smooth or fluctuating depending on the combination and timing of ring, planet and sun gears. The instantaneous efficiency characteristics of synchronous and non-synchronous actuators under forward-driving with opposing load and reverse-driving with aiding load are investigated. These are some of the gear tribological topics discussed in this paper.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Effect of variable suckling intensity and estrogen administration upon serum luteinizing hormone in Brahman cows.

Ten mature Brahman cows were randomly allotted within calving intervals to either a suckled (S) or nonsuckled (NS) treatment group. All cows received a 20 mg intramuscular injection of estradiol-17beta (E2), suspended in 2 ml of corn oil, to determine the effect of suckling on the estrogen induced LH surge. Starting on day 21 postpartum the S cows were suckled at six hour intervals for 24 hours, at which time they were challenged with a 20 mg E2 injection. The suckling regimen was continued for 48 hours postinjection. The NS cows were separated from their calves on day 21 postpartum and received no suckling stimulus for 72 hours. At 24 hours after calf separation, the NS cows were challenged with a 20 mg E2 injection. Blood samples were removed at two hour intervals beginning 10 hours post E2 injection until 36 hours postinjection, at which time blood samples were removed at four hour intervals until 48 hours postinjection. Blood samples were processed to yield serum and assayed for luteinizing hormone (LH) via radioimmunoassay. The injection of a 20 mg dose of E2 induced an LH surge in all cows. The NS cows were found to exhibit a longer (P<.05) duration of the estrogen induced LH surge than the S cows, 15.6 +/- .98 and 12.4 +/- .75 hours, respectively. The timing parameters (time to start of LH surge, time to peak LH value and time to end of surge) and LH concentration parameters (LH concentration at start of LH surge, peak value of LH surge and LH concentration at end of LH surge) were not different between suckling regimens. No blockage of the LH response to estrogen challenge was found on day 22 postpartum. Suckling did depress the duration of the LH surge indicating some blockage due to suckling stimuli.
Spectroscopic determination of proton position in the proton-coupled electron transfer pathways of donor-acceptor supramolecule assemblies.

A homologous set of porphyrin derivatives possessing an isocyclic five-membered ring appended with an amidinium functionality has been used to examine proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) throug...
Regional and economic geology of Pennsylvanian age coal beds of West Virginia

Abstract West Virginia is the only place in the United States where an entire section of Pennsylvanian age (Upper Carboniferous) strata can be seen. These strata occur within a wedge of rock that thins to the north and west from the southeastern part of the State. The progressive north-northwesterly termination of older Pennsylvanian geologic units beneath younger ones prominently outlines the center of the Appalachian basin of West Virginia. Over most of West Virginia, Lower and/or Middle Pennsylvanian strata unconformably overly Upper Mississippian (Lower Carboniferous) strata. Sediment deposition was accomplished by a complex system of deltas prograding north and west from an eastern and southeastern source area. More than 100 named coal beds occur within the Lower, Middle, and Upper Pennsylvanian rocks of West Virginia and at least 60 of these have been or are currently being mined commercially. Collectively, these coal beds account for original in-ground coal resources of almost 106.1×10 9 t (117×10 9 tons). West Virginia ranks fourth in the United States in demonstrated coal reserves. In 1988, West Virginia produced 131.4×10 6 t (144.9×10 6 T) of coal, third highest in the United States. Of this annual production, 75% was from underground mines. In 1988, West Virginia led the nation in the number of longwall mining sections currently in place. West Virginia's low-volatile coal beds are known worldwide as important metallurgical-grade coals, while the higher-volatile coal beds are utilized primarily for steam production.
Nonorthogonal Formulation of Hartree-Fock Perturbation Theory

Perturbation theory, up to first order in the wave function and second order in the energy, is formulated for a many-electron system without requiring the perturbed one-electron states to be orthogonal. The most general self-consistent coupled equations, referred to as Method 1, form the counterpart of Langhoff, Karplus, and Hurst's (LKH) Method $a$ for orthogonal orbitals. The uncoupling of the perturbations $\ensuremath{\delta}{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{i}$, $\ensuremath{\delta}{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{j}$ to the zero order wave functions ${{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{i}}^{0}$ and ${{\ensuremath{\psi}}_{j}}^{0}$ produces equations referred to as Method 2. Further approximation in the Method-2 equations yields a set of equations called Method 3. Methods 2 and 3 are counterparts of LKH's Method $b$, but have computational advantages over Method $b$ in that normalization and orthogonalization are accomplished in a particularly simple fashion. In comparing the uncoupled Method-3 equations with Dalgarno's equations, an additional difference is found involving the overlap integral between perturbed states, besides the difficulty pointed out by LKH. Application of the Method-2 and -3 equations is made to the spin-polarization problem of the ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{+3}$ ion, leading to a hyperfine constant in reasonable agreement with earlier unrestricted Hartree-Fock (UHF) calculations. A comparison between results obtained by Methods 2 and 3 and Dalgarno's equations permits a relative evaluation of these methods. We have also studied the effect of indirect spin polarization of the $s$ electrons through the action of the $p$ electrons which are in turn polarized by the unpaired $d$ electrons. This contribution is found to be about 10% of the direct effect.
First Report of Summer Patch of Creeping Bentgrass Caused by Magnaporthe poae in North Carolina.

An unknown disease was observed in June 2002 and 2003 on creeping bentgrass (CRB [Agrostis stolonifera L.]) putting greens at The Country Club of Landfall in Wilmington, NC that were established in 2001 with a 1:1 blend of cvs. A-1 and A-4. Soil pH ranged from 7 to 8 at this location because of poor quality irrigation water. Symptoms appeared in circular patches of 0.3 to 1 m in diameter that exhibited signs of wilt followed by chlorosis and orange foliar dieback. The disease was initially diagnosed as take-all patch caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis (Sacc.) Arx & D. Olivier var. avenae (E.M. Turner) Dennis, based on the observation of necrotic roots and crowns that were colonized with dark, ectotrophic hyphae. However, the historical lack of take-all patch occurrence in this region led to the suspicion that G. graminis var. avenae was not involved. Sections of root and crown tissue were surface disinfested in 0.6% NaOCl for 5 min or 1% AgNO3 for 1 min and 5% NaCl for 30 s. Tissue was plated on SMGGT3 (2)...
Loneliness as a risk factor in adolescent hopelessness

Abstract The extent to which loneliness was related to adolescent hopelessness was determined in a sample of 1297 high school students. Loneliness accounted for 24.21% of the variance between adolescents who were categorized as high hopeless, hopeless, low hopeless, and not hopeless. Other lifestyle variables (i.e., smoking cigarettes, watching television, and weight satisfaction) significantly discriminated between groups, but the contribution was minimal in comparison to the contribution of loneliness. The results of this study point out that the early identification and treatment of loneliness may have potential for reducing adolescent hopelessness and its consequences upon emotional health and development.
Purification and properties of rat liver histidase.

Abstract Rat liver histidase ( l -histidine ammonia-lyase, EC 4.3.1.3) has been purified 200-fold. The final preparation was estimated to be about 80% pure and was used to evaluate cofactor requirements and other reaction parameters. Histidase has a molecular weight of 226 000, a K m for histidine of 2.0 · 10 −3 M, and a pH optimum of 8.8–9.2. The enzyme is stimulated by glutathione although the latter appears to function as a bivalent anion, not as a sulfhydryl-protecting reagent. Histidase is inhibited by versene, and the inhibition is effectively reversed by both manganese and zinc ions; magnesium is slightly less effective in this regard. Some physiological implications of the histidase reaction are discussed.
twin, a CCR4 homolog, regulates cyclin poly(A) tail length to permit Drosophila oogenesis

Cyclins regulate progression through the cell cycle. Control of cyclin levels is essential in Drosophila oogenesis for the four synchronous divisions that generate the 16 cell germ line cyst and for ensuring that one cell in each cyst, the oocyte, is arrested in meiosis, while the remaining fifteen cells become polyploid nurse cells. Changes in cyclin levels could be achieved by regulating transcription, translation or protein stability. The proteasome limits cyclin protein levels in the Drosophila ovary, but the mechanisms regulating RNA turnover or translation remain largely unclear. Here, we report the identification of twin, a homolog of the yeast CCR4 deadenylase. We show that twin is important for the number and synchrony of cyst divisions and oocyte fate. Consistent with the deadenylase activity of CCR4 in yeast, our data suggest that Twin controls germ line cyst development by regulating poly(A) tail lengths of several targets including Cyclin A (CycA) RNA. twin mutants exhibit very low expression of Bag-of-marbles (Bam), a regulator of cyst division, indicating that Twin/Ccr4 activity is necessary for wild-type Bam expression. Lowering the levels of CycA or increasing the levels of Bam suppresses the defects we observe in twin ovaries, implicating CycA and Bam as downstream effectors of Twin. We propose that Twin/Ccr4 functions during early oogenesis to coordinate cyst division, oocyte fate specification and egg chamber maturation.
Transcription Factor Interactions Mediate EGF-Dependent COX-2 Expression

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is linked to worse prognosis in patients with malignant gliomas and other tumor types. Amplification/overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is commonly seen in these tumors. We have previously shown that EGFR signaling, through activation of p38-mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase C-δ (PKC-δ), and Sp1, plays an important role in the regulation of COX-2 expression in glioma cells. Here, we report that the Src kinase also has a role in this signaling cascade upstream of p38-MAPK/PKC-δ. In addition, more detailed analysis revealed the involvement of FOXM1, a member of the forkhead box family of transcriptional activators, in EGF-dependent COX-2 induction. FOXM1 protein levels increase after stimulation with EGF although its role in modulating COX-2 expression does not depend on this increase. While a conventional FOXM1 responsive element resides in a distal region (-2872/-2539 relative to the transcriptional start site) of the COX-2 promoter, this is not required for EGF-dependent induction of COX-2. Instead, FOXM1 is capable of interacting with Sp1 at the Sp1 binding site (-245/-240 relative to the start site) of the COX-2 promoter and appears to act in cooperation with Sp1 to mediate EGF-induced COX-2 expression. Definition of this novel interaction provides us with a clearer understanding of the mechanistic basis for the induction of COX-2 with EGF and guides our evaluation of potential newer therapeutic targets that have relevance in this disease.
Effects of glycine supplementation at varying levels of methionine and cystine on the growth performance of broilers fed reduced crude protein diets

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to investigate Gly addition to reduced crude protein corn–soybean meal (C-SBM) diets with varying levels of TSAA achieved by varying Met and Cys. The experiments were conducted with female Ross 708 broilers in brooder batteries from 0 to 18 d posthatching. Treatments had 6 replicates with 6 broilers/pen. Diets in all experiments were fed without or with Gly supplementation to contain 2.32% total Gly + Ser. All diets were C-SBM based and formulated to contained 1.27% standardized ileal digestible Lys supplemented with 0.20% Lys (0.394% Lys·SO4) and to meet or exceed the requirement of all nutrients except Met and Cys where appropriate. Experiment 1 consisted of 8 dietary treatments. Three ratios of Met to Cys (60:40, 50:50, and 40:60) were used on a mole for mole basis to achieve 0.063 mol of TSAA/kg of feed and a positive control with Met:Cys of 50:50 at 0.76 TSAA:Lys. Glycine supplementation did not affect ADG or ADFI; however, G:F was increased (P = 0.003) with Gly supplementation. An increase in Cys and a decrease in Met resulted in a decrease (P = 0.028) in ADG but had no effect on ADFI or G:F. In experiment 2, Met was kept constant at a marginal level of 0.45% and Cys was increased in 0.05% increments from 0.35 to 0.50%. Glycine supplementation had no main effect on ADG, ADFI, or G:F; however, Gly increased G:F at the lower levels of Cys but not at the higher levels (Gly × Cys, P = 0.031). A linear decrease (P = 0.071) was found in ADFI with increasing Cys supplementation. These data indicate that Gly increased G:F in female broilers fed suboptimal levels of Met and Cys but not at Cys levels at or above the requirement. This implies that the synthesis of Cys accounts for a portion of the increased G:F observed from Gly supplementation in female broilers fed reduced CP C-SBM diets.
Making Agents Acceptable to People

Because ever more powerful intelligent agents will interact with people in increasingly sophisticated and important ways, greater attention must be given to the technical and social aspects of how to make agents acceptable to people [4], p. 51]. The technical challenge is to devise a computational structure that guarantees that from the technical standpoint all is under control. We want to be able to help ensure the protection of agent state, the viability of agent communities, and the reliability of the resources on which they depend. To accomplish this, we must guarantee, insofar as is possible, that the autonomy of agents can always be bounded by explicit enforceable policy that can be continually adjusted to maximize the agents. effectiveness and safety in both human and computational environments. The social challenge is to ensure that agents and people interact gracefully and to provide reassurance to people that all is working according to plan. We want agents to be designed to fit well with how people actually work together. Explicit policies governing human-agent interaction, based on careful observation of work practice and an understanding of current social science research, can help assure that effective and natural coordination, appropriate levels and modalities of feedback, and adequate predictability and responsiveness to human control are maintained. These factors are key to providing the reassurance and trust that are the prerequisites to the widespread acceptance of agent technology for non-trivial applications.
Social trust and self-rated health in US communities: a multilevel analysis

This study assessed the contextual and individual effects of social trust on health. Methods consisted of a multilevel regression analysis of self-rated poor health among 21,456 individuals nested within 40 US communities included in the 2000 Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey. Controlling for demographic covariates, a strong income and education gradient was observed for self-rated health. Higher levels of cominunity social trust were associated with a lover probability of reporting poor health. Individual demographic and socioeconomic preditors did not explain the association of community social trust with self-rated health. Controlling for individual trust perception, however, rendered the main effect of community social trust statistically insignificant, but a complex interaction effect was observed, such that the health-promoting effect of community social trust was significantly greater for high-trust individuals. For low-trust individuals, the effect of community social trust on self-rated health was the opposite. Using the latest data available on community social trust, we conclude that the role of community social trust in explaining average population health achievements and health inequalities is complex and is contingent on individual perceptions of social trust. Future multilevel investigations of social capital and population health should routinely consider the cross-level nature of community or neighborbood effects.
Micafungin activity against Candida albicans with diverse azole resistance phenotypes

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether mechanisms of azole resistance in Candida albicans contribute to reduced micafungin activity in vitro. Methods: MICs were determined for a collection of strains with well-characterized mechanisms of azole resistance obtained from systemic, oral and vaginal infections. This collection of strains includes those with resistance-associated phenotypes. All known molecular mechanisms of azole resistance are included in this set of isolates (alone or in combination). Micafungin activity was further investigated for a subset of isolates by agar dilution. Results: There was no correlation between any of the azole resistance mechanisms or resistance phenotypes and micafungin activity as determined by MIC, even in isolates with cross-resistance to multiple azole drugs. Overexpression of the ABC transporter CDR2 has been suggested to contribute to reduced echinocandin activity in agar dilution studies. By broth microdilution, there was no difference in MIC between the pump overexpressors and the collection as a whole. However, azole-resistant isolates from matched strains exhibited a small increase in their micafungin MICs relative to their susceptible controls. By agar dilution analysis, multiple CDR2-overexpressing strains exhibited reduced growth in the presence of micafungin relative to the laboratory strain SC5314. Conclusions: Azole resistance mechanisms do not contribute to increased micafungin MIC as determined by broth microdilution. However, within sets of matched isolates, strains overexpressing CDR2 had a slight increase in micafungin MIC. Changes in micafungin susceptibility are associated with CDR2 overexpression in agar dilution tests.
Ventricular Arrhythmias After Left Ventricular Assist Device

Despite advances in medical therapy, heart failure remains one of the major causes of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. Approximately 5.7 million patients have heart failure, and it is the direct cause of death for 57 000 individuals annually.1 Although the combination of optimal medical therapy, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), and cardiac resynchronization therapy has reduced mortality rates, an estimated 50% of patients with heart failure still die within 5 years of diagnosis.1 Heart transplant is often the best therapeutic option for patients with end-stage heart failure; however, there has been a stable plateau of ≈2200 transplants/y in the United States due largely to limitations in organ availability.1 For patients who are facing unfavorably long wait times for heart transplantation, left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have become a lifesaving option as a bridge to transplant. Currently, one quarter to one third of all heart transplant recipients are bridged with mechanical circulatory support before transplantation.2 Much of this support is in the form of permanent LVADs—surgically implanted mechanical assist devices that unload the left ventricle and can function in ambulatory patients (Figure 1). The use of permanent LVADs as destination therapy has increased dramatically, with evidence that they benefit patients with end-stage heart failure, despite noncandidacy for heart transplantation. Since the seminal Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure destination therapy trial in 2001, ≈1578 destination therapy LVADs have been implanted, with implant rates increasing rapidly.3,4 Figure 1. Examples of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) with 2 different types of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Posterior-anterior chest x-ray projections of biventricular ICDs in the presence of HVAD ( A ) and Heartmate II ( B ) models of LVAD. Development of LVADs dates to 1969 when the world’s first total artificial heart was implanted by Dr …
A New ARQ Scheme for Reliable Broadcasting in Wireless LANs

This paper proposes a new automatic repeat request (ARQ) scheme for reliable broadcasting in distributed wireless LANs. Unlike traditional ARQ schemes for reliable broadcasting, the proposed scheme is highly efficient in its ARQ control information delivery and only introduces light control overhead in the network. Our simulation results show that as compared with traditional ARQ schemes, the proposed scheme improves the LAN throughput by from several tens to more than one hundred percent, depending on the number of nodes in the LAN.
Incidental learning of spatially organized DSS interfaces: a case analysis

The author suggests ways that existing models of spatial learning might relate to spatial representations in highly interactive decision support systems (DSSs) that use spatial metaphors at the interface. The results of the experiment indicate that when spatial metaphors and artificial realities are used to organize human/computer interactions for decision-making, the users are subject to the same learning constraints and opportunities as they are with normal spatial realities. The findings indicate that it might be useful to examine the applicability of other experimental psychology results to problems in computing. >
Rosiglitazone Reduces the Accelerated Neointima Formation After Arterial Injury in a Mouse Injury Model of Type 2 Diabetes

Background— Hyperglycemia (HG) and hyperinsulinemia (HI) may be factors enhancing the atherosclerotic complications of diabetes. We hypothesized that specific feeding of C57BL/6 apolipoprotein (apo...
Increased robustness of single-molecule counting with microfluidics, digital isothermal amplification, and a mobile phone versus real-time kinetic measurements.

Quantitative bioanalytical measurements are commonly performed in a kinetic format and are known to not be robust to perturbation that affects the kinetics itself or the measurement of kinetics. We hypothesized that the same measurements performed in a “digital” (single-molecule) format would show increased robustness to such perturbations. Here, we investigated the robustness of an amplification reaction (reverse-transcription loop-mediated amplification, RT-LAMP) in the context of fluctuations in temperature and time when this reaction is used for quantitative measurements of HIV-1 RNA molecules under limited-resource settings (LRS). The digital format that counts molecules using dRT-LAMP chemistry detected a 2-fold change in concentration of HIV-1 RNA despite a 6 °C temperature variation (p-value = 6.7 × 10–7), whereas the traditional kinetic (real-time) format did not (p-value = 0.25). Digital analysis was also robust to a 20 min change in reaction time, to poor imaging conditions obtained with a cons...
Long-Term Use of Ventricular Assist Device as a Bridge to Recovery in Acute Fulminant Myocarditis

We report the successful long-term use of a left ventricular assist device (Berlin EXCOR) as a bridge to recovery in a patient with fulminant parvovirus B19 myocarditis. The use of this device allowed time for myocardial recovery, avoiding the need for cardiac transplantation.
Maximum entropy methods in coherent radar imaging

There are some compelling reasons for viewing the problem of image reconstruction from noisy or incomplete data as one of statistical estimation, i.e., of choosing, from the infinity of images consistent with the data, that image which, in some statistical sense, is most plausible. Among these reasons are the soundness of the philosophical underpinning of the resulting image reconstruction process, a greater realization of the image resolution which is inherent in the data, and freedom from many of the artifacts encountered in commonly used ad hoc reconstruction schemes. One successful technique employing a principle of statistical inference is the maximum entropy technique, in which the data-consistent image with maximum configurational entropy is chosen. It is a computationally intensive approach involving a conjugate gradient search over a convex function of a vector in a space of dimensionality equal to the number of image pixels. This technique has been employed with success in situations where the data samples are modeled as linearly related to a real non-negative object. We investigate application of maximum entropy image reconstruction to the problem of high-resolution radar diagnostic imaging. The problem differs from others in which maximum entropy has been applied in that the object to be imaged is complex. Although the desired image is of the magnitude of the complex object and is thus real and non-negative, there is no linear relationship beween object magnitude and data. Rather, the data are linearly related to the complex object. Several earlier proposed methods for applying the maximum entropy principle to this problem are identified and analyzed. A method that more closely approximates true Bayesian estimation is proposed.
Physical and Chemical Features of Pretreated Biomass that Influence Macro-/Micro-accessibility and Biological Processing

Lignocellulosic biomass containing about 55–65 wt% sugars in the form of polymeric structural carbohydrates can be a sustainable feedstock for production of a variety of sugars that can in turn be converted into fuels and chemicals [1–3]. For biological deconstruction of structural carbohydrates to sugars, tiny protein molecules called enzymes need to reach appropriate substrates to depolymerize them. In native plants however, carbohydrates are trapped in a complex matrix comprising non-sugar constituents and polymers such as lignin, which forms a strong and complex sheath around carbohydrates and presents challenges to effective and economical release of sugars from biomass [1,2,4,5]. Prior to biological conversion, some kind of treatment of biomass is therefore needed to make the carbohydrates accessible [6,7]. This pretreatment can be purely mechanical, thermal, chemical, biological, or combinations of these, as reviewed elsewhere [8–10]. Thermochemical pretreatments, however, are considered leading options due to their comparatively short reaction time, effectiveness, and lower energy requirements compared to mechanical options [11–13]. Nonetheless, thermochemical pretreatments typically need
Development of no-rinse screen printable etch paste for contact via in dielectric films

Screen printable etch paste was developed for low cost patterning of dielectric films. This technique offers a simple print and bake approach to pattern without the need for a rinse step. Residue analysis of the etched area showed no sign of any organic residue left behind by the etch process. High carrier lifetime indicates no significant contamination or silicon surface damage. The etched via diameter of 150 µm was demonstrated in thermal oxide while smaller via size of 100 µm was achieved in silicon nitride (SiN x ) or a combination of silicon oxide and nitride. Contact resistance measurement through the etched vias using TLM method showed values less than 3mΩ.cm2. The etch paste and process technique can be easily used in PERC cell as well as advanced architecture Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) cell for low cost patterning.
Voting as a Counter-Strategy in the Blame Game

Politicians are constantly at risk of being blamed. They make decisions that affect large constituencies, and they are ascribed near-impossible responsibilities—get everyone a job, make health care...
Signal restoration using a modified version of Jansson's iterative deconvolution method

A modification of Jansson's method of iterative convolution to allow convergence for a broader class of distorted signals is discussed. This modification consists of a cross-correlation operation of both the distorted signal and its distortion operator prior to the start of the deconvolution. Its performance is evaluated. Test cases include deconvolving spectral peak data at various signal-to-noise ratios and degrees of resolution. For benchmark purposes, other conventional prefiltering schemes are presented. The use of the cross-correlation filter provides the best error performance and measurement repeatabilities. The cross-correlation prefiltering operation allowed restoration of signals that would otherwise not be possible given severe noise and overlap conditions. >
Comorbidities of Nail Psoriasis: From A to Z

Nail psoriasis is a common and disabling manifestation of cutaneous plaque-type psoriasis that affects the patient both functionally and psychologically. The prevalence of nail involvement in psoriatic patients ranges from 7 to 56 %, with the lifetime incidence being as high as 80–90 %. Nail psoriasis is a frequent ailment among patients and a great source of disability. Nail manifestations can be associated with pain, an altered sense of touch, and a functional impairment in dexterity resulting in an inability to grab small objects. All these conditions culminate in a restriction of daily activities, psychological stress, low self-esteem, and a reduced quality of life.
Abstract WP118: The Flavanol (-)-Epicatechin Improves Functional Recovery In Mice Subjected To Experimental Stroke

Background: Epidemiological studies indicate that flavanol consumption reduces the propensity to develop cerebrovascular disease. Available data suggest actions on multiple pro-inflammatory pathways, yet it remains unclear which pathways mediate functional recovery after stroke. Our goal is to begin identifying the mechanisms by which the flavanol (-)-epicatechin (EC) improves anatomical and functional outcomes. Based upon data from initial dose-response experiments, ongoing studies are investigating hypothesized protective pathways involving matrix metalloproteinase-mediated blood brain barrier protection and Nrf2 transcriptional activation. Methods: Male, 8-10wk old C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with EC 90m prior to permanent distal middle cerebral artery occlusion. Vehicle or EC was administered by oral gavage to mimic dietary consumption. Mice were evaluated 1, 4 and 7d post-stroke for performance on various sensorimotor tasks prior to histological assessments. Results: Initial experiments demonstrated that mice treated with 15mg/kg EC showed reduced latency to remove adhesive tape at 1d compared to vehicle controls (n=12, p Conclusions: Preventative administration of EC promotes functional recovery in mice subjected to experimental stroke. Investigations are underway to determine the pathways mediated by EC following administration at these therapeutic doses. Together, these data will provide insights into the potential for (-)-epicatechin as a clinical therapeutic.
Increased Reduction Clamp Force Associated With Syndesmotic Overcompression

Background:The distal tibiofibular syndesmosis is disrupted in up to 45% of operatively treated ankle fractures, and syndesmotic malreduction has historically been correlated with poor outcome. The...
In Support of Student Research

To the Editor: One of the natural consequences of the great diversity among academic programs in physical therapy is the expression of equally diverse opinions concerning the philosophy and design of their curricula. Recently, controversy has centered on the value of mandatory entry-level student research projects within physical therapy instructional programs, a debate nourished by Dr Rothstein's editorial in the May 1992 issue of Physical Therapy . I appreciate this opportunity to express my viewpoint in response to his opinion. Nearly 4 years ago, I was privileged to join the faculty of a Division of Physical Therapy as its only full-time member not trained as a physical therapist. Even before my hiring, my physical therapist colleagues knew of the esteem I held for, and the value I placed upon, the physical therapy practitioner, worth acknowledged long before it was fashionable for an exercise physiologist to do so.… [ ARTICLE][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/72/332?iss=5
Distributed MPC for Efficient Coordination of Storage and Renewable Energy Sources Across Control Areas

In electric power systems, multiple entities are responsible for ensuring an economic and reliable way of delivering power from producers to consumers. With the increase of variable renewable generation it is becoming increasingly important to take advantage of the individual entities’ (and their areas’) capabilities for balancing variability. Hence, in this paper, we employ and extend the approximate Newton directions method to optimally coordinate control areas leveraging storage available in one area to balance variable resources in another area with only minimal information exchange among the areas. The problem to be decomposed is a model predictive control problem including generation constraints, energy storage constraints, and AC power flow constraints. Singularity issues encountered when formulating the respective Newton–Raphson steps due to intertemporal constraints are addressed and extensions to the original decomposition method are proposed to improve the convergence rate and required communication of the method.
Monitoring results of cadmium in soil of Jingmen City

[Objective]To understand the cadmium(Cd) content of the soil in Jingmen City.[Methods]According to GB/T 17141-1997,Cd in soil was determined.The representative upper and lower soil in City East,City West,urban South,urban northward were monitored at 40 points.[Results] The detection limit was 0.05-2.00 mg/kg,recovery rate of 97.0%,the standard deviation of 0.015,RSD of 0.76%.Monitoring of 20 samples of upper soil showed Cd content was 0.06-0.41 g/kg;20 samples of lower soil showed Cd content ≤0.05-0.06 mg/kg.[Conclusion]Cd has been detected in soil of all district of Jingmen City which should attract high attention.
Deployment of 1588 Time Synchronization in Next Generation of Power Backbone Network

This paper first analyzes the requirements of power system service synchronization and the existing time synchronization techniques,points out that the accuracy of existing power system service synchronization needs more precise time synchronization system.Then it puts forward the 1588 time synchronization system which could support sub-microsecond level of accuracy.This system can satisfy the requirements of high accuracy time synchronization for new digital substation.Finally it discusses the application of 1588 clock signal in the next generation of power backbone network based on the techniques of OTN and PTN,presents the feasibility of wired synchronization replacing GPS synchronization in the power system.
Ultrasonographic Characteristics of the Seminal Vesicles after Ejaculation

A total of 12 men from a sperm donor bank underwent transrectal ultrasonography before and after ejaculation to investigate possible changes that could influence interpretation of seminal vesicle ultrasonography. The mean length of the seminal vesicles was 2.98 cm. before and 2.95 cm. after ejaculation. The anteroposterior diameter decreased only from 0.59 to 0.52 cm. Minimal differences were noted between the right and left seminal vesicles, and the greatest variation in size in an individual was only 3 mm. These results indicate that interpretation of seminal vesicle anatomy as seen by ultrasonography does not depend upon the temporal relationship to ejaculation.
A randomized, controlled trial comparing topical steroid application to wet versus dry skin in children with atopic dermatitis (AD)

Background Soak and smear (SS), a technique whereby a bath is followed by topical corticosteroid (TCS) application to wet skin, is reported to be a beneficial adjunctive therapy for patients with recalcitrant atopic dermatitis (AD). Objective We evaluated whether SS is of greater benefit than application of TCS to dry skin for the treatment of childhood AD. Methods A randomized, investigator-blinded, controlled study was performed in children with AD. Patients were randomized to apply TCS either via SS (n = 22) or to dry skin (n = 23) for 14 days. The primary outcome was an improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index score. Secondary outcomes included assessments of disease burden, pruritus, and sleep; morning cortisol levels; and adverse effects. Results Patients with AD severity who applied TCS via SS or to dry skin improved 84.8% (95% confidence interval 77.5-92.1) and 81.4% (95% confidence interval 70.3-92.4) by Eczema Area and Severity Index score, respectively. There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups ( P value = .85). Limitations Small sample size limited the power of our study. Conclusions We did not find that application of TCS to presoaked skin works better than application to dry skin for the treatment of AD in children.
A field processing model that accounts for central place labor

Abstract I extend Metcalfe and Barlow’s field processing model to account for the opportunity cost of home labor and test the model using ethnographic observations of clove harvesting, cacao harvesting, and sago processing on the island of Seram in eastern Indonesia. The ethnographic observations are consistent with the opportunity cost of home labor time being between 0.58 and 0.96 that of field labor time. Since the Metcalfe-Barlow model assumes that the opportunity cost of home labor is zero, this refinement of the Metcalfe-Barlow model is warranted in the social and ecological context in which the data was collected and in archaeological contexts where the opportunity cost of home labor cannot clearly be ignored. The extended model predicts a lower threshold than the Metcalfe-Barlow model for the critical transport time beyond which field processing should occur, which has broad implications for recognizing and explaining archaeological and paleoecological signatures of subsistence transitions. I illustrate this by showing that for sago processing the extended model predicts a threshold that is less than half that predicted by the Metcalfe-Barlow model. This low threshold suggests that sago is unlikely to be processed at home. Given this and the perishable nature of both sago starch and traditional containers used to transport it, the limited evidence for sago in archaeological assemblages should not be taken as evidence that it was an unimportant resource in prehistory.
TCR avidity for thymic and peripheral self peptide-MHC sets and sustains intrinsic CD4+ T cell sensitivity (P1170)

TCR interactions with pMHC are crucial to T cell development and function. It is not known how the strength of the positively selecting signal impacts peripheral T cell function. To pursue this issue, we utilized the LLO56 and LLO118 TCR transgenic mice, each of which bears CD4+ T cells that recognize the same epitope from Listeriolysin O. During in vivo responses to L. monocytogenes, LLO118 T cells expand better upon primary challenge, whereas LLO56 prevails upon rechallenge. Surprisingly, naive LLO56 T cells showed stronger IL-2 responses than LLO118 to nonspecific in vitro stimulation, associated with greater ERK activation and higher basal phospho-TCRζ levels. The greater basal TCRζ phosphorylation, along with higher CD5 expression, suggested that LLO56 has a higher avidity for self-pMHC, possibly underlying its higher sensitivity. Indeed, the respective sensitivities of LLO56 and LLO118 cells emerged as they matured into CD4SP thymocytes after positive selection, during which LLO56 thymocytes received a stronger signal from selecting self-pMHC. Peripheral self-pMHC was required to actively maintain mature LLO56 and LLO118 T cell sensitivity, as transfer of these cells into MHC II-/- mice rendered them similarly unresponsive to stimulation. In summary, our data demonstrate unanticipated roles for TCR:self-pMHC avidity in establishing T cell sensitivity centrally, sustaining it in the periphery, and affecting CD4+ T cell responses to pathogens.