cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional metallodielectric photonic crystals incorporating flat metal elements

A three-dimensional metallodielectric photonic crystal (MDPC) that utilizes planar metal scattering elements in a dielectric medium has been studied in the microwave regime, both experimentally and theoretically. The metal elements are circular copper patches defined on thin dielectric sheets, which are alternately stacked with thicker polyethylene sheets to form a (111)-oriented face-centered-cubic lattice. A photonic stop band has been measured from this 'flat-atom' MDPC at 8.2 GHz with a rejection level of 18 dB per lattice period and a width of 50% of the center frequency. The photonic stop band persists over a broad range of angles. Finite-Difference Time-Domain calculations show excellent agreement with measured stop band characteristics, including a similar angular dependence and insensitivity to interplane registration. Variation of the stop-band characteristics with thickness of the dielectric layers has also been explored experimentally. Flat-atom MDPC results are compared with measurements made on 'spherical-atom' MDPC structures.
Improving Pregnancy Counseling for Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis Taking Methotrexate

A 46-year-old female patient with a 1-year history of rheumatoid arthritis was treated with methotrexate, 15 mg per week. Because of clinical improvement and patient preference, her rheumatologist changed her treatment to minocycline, and her methotrexate dose was gradually reduced over several months. As she was making these medication changes, the patient discovered that she was pregnant. The methotrexate was soon discontinued, but she was still taking it for at least the first 3 weeks of her pregnancy. The patient delivered a full-term female infant who did not appear to have any methotrexate-related birth defects. The patient's medical record did not document any discussion about the risks of pregnancy while taking methotrexate.
High frequency percussive ventilation in pediatric patients with inhalation injury.

The objective of this study was to present data that showed high frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) was superior to traditional mechanical ventilation for the treatment of children with inhalation injuries. Inhalation injuries continue to be the number one cause of death of patients with thermal injuries in the United States. Therapy for this condition has consisted of conservative pulmonary toilet and mechanical ventilation. Despite improvements in the management of burn injury, patients with inhalation injury develop pneumonia and pneumothorax, leading to adult respiratory distress syndrome. Unfortunately, inhalation injury that is complicated by pneumonia has been shown to increase mortality by 60% in these patients. Cioffi has shown that prophylactic use of HFPV in adult patients with inhalation injury has been a successful method of reducing the incidence of pneumonia and mortality. The effects of HFPV on the incidence of pneumonia, peak inspiratory pressures, and arterial partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inspired concentration of oxygen (P/F) ratios were retrospectively studied in 13 children with inhalation injuries and compared with historic controls treated with conventional mechanical ventilation. All patients were treated with our standard inhalation injury protocol and extubated when they met standard extubation criteria. Patients ranged in age from 6 to 9 years, and most had burns covering greater than 50% of their total body surface areas. No deaths occurred in either group, but the patients who were treated with HFPV had no cases of pneumonia (P < .05), better P/F ratios (P < .05), lower peak inspiratory pressures, and less work of breathing (P < .05) as compared with our control group. On the basis of our clinical experience and data, the use of HFPV seems to be an effective treatment for the reduction of pulmonary morbidity in pediatric patients with inhalation injuries.
Lipopolysaccharide Induction of Outward Potassium Current Expression in Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages: Lack of Correlation with Secretion

Although an outwardly rectifying K+ conductance (I K, A) is prominently expressed in human alveolar macrophages, the expression of this conductance in human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) is rare. We have analyzed the induction of the expression of I K, A in voltage-clamped, in vitro differentiated HMDMs by a number of stimuli which produce either priming or activation of macrophages. Cultures were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 2 μg/ml), interleukin 2 (IL-2, 100 U/ml), or combinations of LPS and either recombinant interferon-gamma (γ-IFN, 10 U/ml), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 0.01 or 1 μg/ ml) and platelet activating factor (PAF, 20 ng/ml) for periods of up to 24 hr. Treatment of the cells with either LPS or IL-2 greatly enhanced the frequency of current expression. Treatment with either PMA or γ-IFN alone did not induce current expression; treatment of the cells with a combination of LPS and either PMA, γ-IFN, or PAF did not enhance current expression over that observed with LPS alone. The expression of the outwardly rectifying K+ current was observed in 36% (n=321) of the cells for cultures treated with LPS and 33% (n=55) of the cells for cultures treated with IL-2. The inactivating outward K+ current was absent in cells which were not treated with either LPS or IL-2. The kinetics of current activation and inactivation appeared identical to that previously described for the transient-inactivating outward current of the human alveolar macrophage. Cycloheximide (1 μg/ml), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, completely suppressed LPS-induced current expression. No correlation was found between peak current amplitude and cell size in LPS-activated cells expressing the outwardly rectifying K+ current, indicating that current density was not held constant from cell to cell. The coupling of ion channel expression and secretion in individual HMDMs was studied using the reverse hemolytic plaque assay. Although an enhancement of K + current expression was observed following either LPS or IL-2 treatment, a quantitatively similar and uniform increase in the percentage of either IL-1 or lysozyme-secreting cells was not observed. The frequency of current expression in cells identified as secreting tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1), or lysozyme was the same or decreased over that observed for nonsecreting cells. Thus, LPS treatment increases the number of K+ channels on HMDM membranes; however, K+ channel expression alone was not sufficient to give rise to enhanced secretion in LPS-activated macrophages. Enhanced K+ channel expression appears to be a part of the primary activation signal. K+-channel activation would hyperpolarize the membrane potential, potentially providing the driving force for calcium entry through voltage-independent pathways activated by the subsequent binding of soluble substances to membrane surface receptors, the secondary signal linked to secretion.
Effect of compounds which disrupt proton gradients on secretion of neurosecretory proteins from pc12 pheochromocytoma cells

Treatment of PC12 cells with chroquine (10-50 microM) obliterated the low intragranular pH, as detected by Acridine Orange fluorescence, and depleted the cells of dopamine and norepinephrine. However, these concentrations of chloroquine did not prevent the release of the newly synthesized proteins which normally undergo stimulus-coupled secretion with the catecholamines. Higher concentrations of chloroquine (200 microM) and ammonium chloride (10 and 25 mM) inhibited the release of most of these proteins. This inhibition did not result from alterations in protein synthesis, since the profile of proteins synthesized was not substantially altered. Nor did the inhibition result from degradation of the neurosecretory proteins, since prelabeled proteins were capable of undergoing stimulated secretion from chloroquine-treated cells, as from normal cells. The findings indicated that the inhibition was at the step of packaging of the proteins into the neurosecretory granules. While release of the major secretory proteins, including chromogranin B, was inhibited with 200 microM chloroquine, chromogranin A was secreted upon stimulation of these cells. The results of this study indicate that an acidic intragranular pH is not a requirement for the packaging and secretion of neurosecretory proteins. Higher concentrations of chloroquine had a differential effect on the regulated secretion of different neurosecretory proteins.
14 The Use of Medical Simulation to Enhance the Clinical Exposure to International Emergency Medicine

Study Objectives: Increasing numbers of immigrants and returned travelers use emergency departments for health care. Many physicians-in-training are interested in participating in health electives abroad, yet residency curricula generally address global health inadequately. Advanced medical simulation (SIM) is an educational modality used to artificially re-create clinical experiences. Authors explored the application of SIM and standardized patient encounters to teach emergency medicine residents select topics in tropical medicine, public health, and decision-making in varied-resource settings. Methods: International Emergency Medicine (IEM) faculty created four case scenarios interspersed into the established residency simulation curriculum. Moulaged manikins and standardized patients in immersive IEM clinical settings provided history and physical exam cues to learners during the following clinical encounters: - “Tent-side” mobile clinic, East Africa: “Dizzy” pregnant patient (Hookworm). - Rural health clinic, Southeast Asia: Infant with “altered mental status” (Dengue). - Emergency department, North America: Central American immigrant with “dyspnea” (Chagas). - Emergency department, North America: Returned traveler from East Africa with “fever” (Typhoid). Post-scenario debriefings addressed unique elements of IEM including
Qualitative variation of anti-diabetic compounds in different tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) cytotypes

Ethanolic extracts of diploid Artemisia dracunculus L. (wild tarragon) from populations in the U.S., and polyploid tarragon from a variety of sources, were screened for the anti-diabetic compounds davidigenin; sakuranetin; 2',4'-dihydroxy-4-methoxydihydrochalcone; 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid; 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 6-demethoxycapillarisin using LC-MS. Only decaploid plants contained all six target compounds and were the only plants that contained davidigenin and 2,4-dihydroxy-4-methoxydihydrochalcone. These results exhibit the importance of germplasm selection and provenance when studying plants for medicinal activity. Relying only on the "right species" for consistent medicinal activities may not be sufficient, as intraspecific variation may be highly significant.
Light cluster production in intermediate energy heavy-ion collisions induced by neutron-rich nuclei

Abstract The coalescence model based on nucleon distribution functions from an isospin-dependent transport model is used to study the production of deuteron, triton, and 3 He from heavy-ion collisions induced by neutron-rich nuclei at intermediate energies. It is found that the emission time of these light clusters depends on their masses. For clusters with same momentum per nucleon, heavier ones are emitted earlier. Both the yield and energy spectrum of light clusters are sensitive to the density dependence of nuclear symmetry energy, with more light clusters produced in the case of a stiff symmetry energy. On the other hand, effects due to the stiffness of the isoscalar part of nuclear equation of state and the medium dependence of nucleon–nucleon cross sections on light cluster production are unimportant. We have also studied the correlation functions of clusters, and they are affected by the density dependence of nuclear symmetry energy as well, with the stiff symmetry energy giving a stronger anti-correlation of light clusters, particularly for those with large kinetic energies. Dependence of light cluster production on the centrality and incident energy of heavy-ion collisions as well as the mass of the reaction system is also investigated.
Good news to the poor: A Lukan leitmotif:

The phrase “good news to the poor” summarizes Jesus’ mission in Luke’s Gospel, with issues of poverty and wealth deeply implicated in issues of belonging, power, and social privilege, in addition t...
MaxSolver: an efficient exact algorithm for (weighted) maximum satisfiability

Maximum Boolean satisfiability (max-SAT) is the optimization counterpart of Boolean satisfiability (SAT), in which a variable assignment is sought to satisfy the maximum number of clauses in a Boolean formula. A branch and bound algorithm based on the Davis-Putnam-Logemann-Loveland procedure (DPLL) is one of the most competitive exact algorithms for solving max-SAT. In this paper, we propose and investigate a number of strategies for max-SAT. The first strategy is a set of unit propagation or unit resolution rules for max-SAT. We summarize three existing unit propagation rules and propose a new one based on a nonlinear programming formulation of max-SAT. The second strategy is an effective lower bound based on linear programming (LP). We show that the LP lower bound can be made effective as the number of clauses increases. The third strategy consists of a binary-clause first rule and a dynamic-weighting variable ordering rule, which are motivated by a thorough analysis of two existing well-known variable orderings. Based on the analysis of these strategies, we develop an exact solver for both max-SAT and weighted max-SAT. Our experimental results on random problem instances and many instances from the max-SAT libraries show that our new solver outperforms most of the existing exact max-SAT solvers, with orders of magnitude of improvement in many cases.
SDF-1/CXCL12 enhances in vitro replating capacity of murine and human multipotential and macrophage progenitor cells.

Hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) manifest a limited self-renewal capacity, as determined by a surrogate assay involving replating capacity of single colonies in vitro with generation of secondary colonies. Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12), has been implicated in regulation of hematopoiesis through its modulation of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and HPC migration, homing, mobilization, and survival. We used bone marrow cells from SDF-1/CXCL12 transgenic and littermate control mice, and culture of normal mouse bone marrow and human cord blood cells plated in the presence or absence of recombinant SDF-1/CXCL12 to evaluate a role for SDF-1/CXCL12 in the replating capability in vitro of multipotential [colony-forming units (CFU)-GEMM] and macrophage (CFU-M) progenitor cells. Competitive repopulating capacity of mouse HSCs was assessed in lethally irradiated mice. Transgenic or exogenous SDF-1/CXCL12 significantly enhanced numbers of secondary colonies formed from primary CFU-GEMM or CFU-M colo...
The v-rel oncogene encodes a κB enhancer binding protein that inhibits NF-κB function

Studies of NF-kappa B suggest that this enhancer binding activity corresponds to a family of at least four proteins (p50, p55, p75, and p85) differentially induced with biphasic kinetics during T cell activation. While p55 and p50 are closely related to the 50 kd DNA binding subunit of NF-kappa B, p75 and p85 exhibit DNA binding properties that distinguish them from this 50 kd polypeptide and its regulatory subunits I kappa B and p65. All four members of this kappa B-specific protein family are structurally related to the v-Rel oncoprotein and one, p85, appears identical to human c-Rel. v-Rel, but not nontransforming v-Rel mutants, binds to the kappa B enhancer and inhibits NF-kappa B-activated transcription from the IL-2 receptor alpha promoter and HIV-1 LTR. These findings suggest a Rel-related family of kappa B enhancer binding proteins and raise the possibility that the transforming activity of v-Rel is linked to its inhibitory action on cellular genes under NF-kappa B control.
Thermal characteristics of the lunar surface layer

The thermophysical properties of the fines from the Apollo 12 landing site have been determined as a function of their relevant parameters. These properties include the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, directional reflectance and emittance. The density used was the same as that observed from the returned core-tube samples and so should be close to the true density of the surface layer at the Apollo 12 site. The measured properties are used to calculate the diurnal temperature variation of the moon's surface as well as for several depths below the surface. The maximum surface of 389 K is obtained at lunar noon while the minimum temperature of 86.1 K is obtained at sunrise. It is shown that the most significant effects on temperature, as compared with previous calculations, are caused by using the directional reflectance which controls the amount of solar energy absorption during the day in place of a constant hemispherical reflectance. The results are compared with previous analyses and remote measurements.
Evolution of the melanocortin-2 receptor in tetrapods: studies on Xenopus tropicalis MC2R and Anolis carolinensis MC2R.

Abstract The tetrapods are a diverse assemblage of vertebrates, and that diversity is reflected in the sequences of tetrapod melanocortin-2 receptors (MC2Rs). In this review, the features common to human (mammal), Gallus gallus (bird), Anolis carolinensis (reptile), and Xenopus tropicalis (amphibian) MC2Rs in terms of ligand selectivity, requirements for interaction with MRAP1, and the effects of alanine substitutions to three amino acid motifs in the ligand hACTH(1–24) are discussed. Analysis of the effects of alanine substitutions to the H 6 F 7 R 8 W 9 and the K 15 K 16 R 17 R 18 P 19 motifs of hACTH(1–24) indicated that activation of A. carolinensis MC2R and X. tropicalis MC2R was more adversely affected by alanine substitutions at these positions as compared to the response of human MC2R to these same analogs. Furthermore, single alanine substitutions in the G 10 K 11 P 12 V 13 G 14 motif of hACTH(1–24) had negative affects on activation of both A. carolinensis MC2R and X. tropicalis MC2R that were not observed for human MC2R. The implications of responses to the various analogs of hACTH(1–24) in terms of the mechanism for mediating the activation of these various tetrapod melanocortin-2 receptors are discussed.
Kinetic friction for multi-material arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian extended finite element formulations

An extended finite element method (X-FEM) for classical kinetic friction laws in a multi-material arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (MMALE) formulation is presented. The velocities of the nodes containing more than one material in their support are updated through the nodal accelerations to account for the kinetic friction effects. Numerical results are presented and discussed.
Prostaglandin production by intact isolated gastric parietal cells.

Abstract An enriched population of isolated gastric parietal cells was obtained from canine gastric mucosa. Parietal cells incubated with [ 14 C]arachidonic acid produced radiolabelled PGF 2α . PGE 2 , PGD 2 and 6-keto PGF 1α (acid hydrolysis product of PGI 2 ). The prostaglandin synthesis was inhibited by indomethacin. Prostaglandin production, as measure by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry demonstrated that PGF 2α was produced in the highest quantity followed by PGE 2 and 6-keto PGAF 1α . This demonstrates that isolated parietal cells are capable of producing prostaglandins. Since prostaglandins have a potent effect on gastric acid secretion, local prostaglandin synthesis could modulate parietal cell function.
Insertion and deletion mutants of vaccinia virus.

Abstract Thirteen viable insertion mutants of vaccinia virus have been constructed. These mutants, containing coding sequences of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene, were generated by marker transfer via in vivo recombination. The mutants were identified using a replica filter plating technique by in situ hybridization using 32 P-nick translated HSV-TK sequences and obtained as pure cultures by repeated plaque purification. Some of these insertion mutants were in turn used as substrates to generate viable deletion mutants of vaccinia virus in the presence of 5′-bromodeoxyuridine. An example of this approach resulting in a vaccinia virus deleted of approximately 1.5 kb of nonessential DNA is presented. Furthermore, the analysis of spontaneously occurring viable deletion mutants of vaccinia lacking approximately 21.4 kb of nonessential DNA is described.
Implantable miniature telescope: lessons learned.

Abstract Background The Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT™) is a telescopic prosthesis that, combined with the optics of the cornea, constitutes an intraocular magnifying system. It is indicated for use in patients with stable, nonfoveal sparing, bilateral, stable, age-related macular degeneration (end-stage) with associated scotomas. The telescope prosthesis is implanted in only one of the patient's eyes. In this way, the implanted eye provides improved visual acuity, and the nonimplanted eye continues to provide peripheral vision for ambulation. Two hundred seventeen patients with end-stage AMD were enrolled in a prospective, multicenter, open-label trial (IMT-002) beginning in 2003. The implanted eye was the worse eye for most patients based on a selection rule set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) protocol; however, in most cases (90%), visual acuity improvement goals were met with the device. This report will retrospectively look at 2 selected patients implanted at the Emory Eye Center in Atlanta as part of that trial to derive lessons for subject and eye selection criteria. Case Reports Two cases were selected to represent patients' levels of functional success and satisfaction. Determination of their visual and functional outcome at 1-year postimplantation was based on best-corrected visual acuity and the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire 25-Item quality-of-life survey. Four years after implantation, 1 patient continued to use the telescope prosthesis eye for all visual activities; the other patient did not perceive any benefit from the device and continued to primarily use the fellow nonimplanted eye. The benefit of the telescopic prosthesis was most likely accounted for by the level of visual acuity in both eyes postimplantation and eye dominance. Conclusion Proper eye selection chosen for implantation with the telescope prosthesis appears to be an important if not critical factor in determining patient satisfaction for visual processing and functional success. Based on the author's experience with the IMT, optometrists can aid the multidisciplinary team by preoperatively determining which eye, if implanted, offers the optimal potential functional benefit for appropriate candidates.
State Annexation ‘Constraints’ and the Frequency of Nunicipal Annexation

Municipal annexations of unincorporated areas is frequently the option followed by local governments to expand their boundaries. State rules influence annexations by determining the range of powers available to local governments and by shaping the incentives of local actors to pursue this option. To date, empirical analysis has not provided strong evidence that state rules significantly affect local annexation pattens. The impact of state rules on local boundary expansions is estimated through a Poisson regression of the number of annexations occurring within the 50 states from 1990 through 1999. The results provide strong confirmation that state rules designed to constrain annexation do significantly influence local boundary patterns, although in unexpected ways. Procedural constraints expected to reduce annexation activity are instead shown to stimulate greater numbers of annexations. Over the last two decades most population growth has occurred in unincorporated areas. The extension of local boundaries through municipal annexation has remained the most favored and effective tool cities have for dealing with urbanization and growth. While approaches such as city-county consolidation and the creation of regional government structures have received greater attention, municipal annexation is the most widely used method of jurisdictional expansion, and its use has been central to the economic and political development of cities.
Mechanical and myocardial factors in rheumatic heart disease with mitral stenosis.

Sixteen patients with rheumatic heart disease and pure mitral stenosis, studied by cardiac catheterization, are presented to illustrate the relative importance of mitral block and myocardial insufficiency in this disease. Analysis of hemodynamic data permitted a separation of those patients with predominantly mechanical mitral block from those in whom myocardial insufficiency appeared to be the predominant lesion. The importance of recognizing the existence of the latter group is emphasized, since commissurotomy will not be of benefit in such cases.
Protein kinase A RII-like (R2D2) proteins exhibit differential localization and AKAP interaction

A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) bind to protein kinase A (PKA) via an amphipathic helix domain that interacts with a dimerization/docking domain on the regulatory (R) subunit of PKA. Four other mammalian proteins (ROPN1, ASP, SP17, and CABYR) also contain a highly conserved RII dimerization/docking (R2D2) domain, suggesting all four proteins may interact with all AKAPs in a manner similar to RII. All four of these proteins were originally detected in the flagellum of mammalian sperm. In this report, we demonstrate that all four R2D2 proteins are expressed in a wide variety of tissues and three of the proteins SP17, CABYR, and ASP are located in motile cilia of human bronchus and fallopian tubes. In addition, we detect SP17 in primary cilia. We also provide evidence that ROPN1 and ASP bind to a variety of AKAPs and this interaction can be disrupted with anchoring inhibitor peptides. The interaction of SP17 and CABYR with AKAPs appears to be much more limited. None of the R2D2 proteins appears to bind cAMP, a fundamental characteristic of the regulatory subunits of PKA. These observations suggest that R2D2 proteins utilize docking interactions with AKAPs to accomplish their function of regulating cilia and flagella. Based on location, affinity for AKAPs and lack of affinity for cAMP, it appears that each R2D2 protein has a unique role in this process. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. ' 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Engineering a Dimeric Caspase-9: A Re-evaluation of the Induced Proximity Model for Caspase Activation

Caspases are responsible for the execution of programmed cell death (apoptosis) and must undergo proteolytic activation, in response to apoptotic stimuli, to function. The mechanism of initiator caspase activation has been generalized by the induced proximity model, which is thought to drive dimerization-mediated activation of caspases. The initiator caspase, caspase-9, exists predominantly as a monomer in solution. To examine the induced proximity model, we engineered a constitutively dimeric caspase-9 by relieving steric hindrance at the dimer interface. Crystal structure of the engineered caspase-9 closely resembles that of the wild-type (WT) caspase-9, including all relevant structural details and the asymmetric nature of two monomers. Compared to the WT caspase-9, this engineered dimer exhibits a higher level of catalytic activity in vitro and induces more efficient cell death when expressed. However, the catalytic activity of the dimeric caspase-9 is only a small fraction of that for the Apaf-1-activated caspase-9. Furthermore, in contrast to the WT caspase-9, the activity of the dimeric caspase-9 can no longer be significantly enhanced in an Apaf-1-dependent manner. These findings suggest that dimerization of caspase-9 may be qualitatively different from its activation by Apaf-1, and in conjunction with other evidence, posit an induced conformation model for the activation of initiator caspases.
Bizarre images in artificial memory

Recent work on the ancient art of artificial memory, in which first a set of places is memorized and then things or words are “;put in those places with bizarre images,”; has shown that S need not first commit a set of places to memory, but instead may successfully use a set of locations arbitrarily selected and provided by E. In the present study arbitrary “;memory loci”; and “;bizarre images”; are provided by E. Fifty Ss learned a mean of 17 of 20 words in their correct sequence in one trial, using an arbitrary list of locations as memory loci and a set of specially constructed sentences as bizarre images. Thus, neither self produced memory loci nor self-produced bizarre images are a necessary part of the artificial memory process.
Promoting Critical Thinking in Product Development: Connections between Textile Science and Consumers' Aesthetic Value

Educators and researchers alike have written extensively about the importance of integrating critical thinking experiences across the undergraduate curriculum. In the present paper we discuss critical thinking, explain the importance of critical thinking for apparel professionals involved in product development, and provide integrative structures and applications to help students think critically about aesthetics and textiles subject matter, both of which are central to the product development process. Specifically, we propose a model and adopt a taxonomy to help students understand (a) the important role played by consumer value in professional decisions, and (b) the range of benefits culminating in the value of a product, respectively. To better prepare students for a total customer integration approach to product development, we also propose connections between subject matter areas of textile science and aesthetics and provide example exercises where students integrate textile science and aesthetics su...
MRI acoustic noise can harm experimental and companion animals.

Purpose: To assess possible damage to the hearing of experimental and companion animal subjects of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Materials and Methods: Using animal hearing threshold data and sound level measurements from typical MRI pulse sequences, we estimated “equivalent loudness” experienced by several experimental and companion animals commonly subjects of MRI scans. We compared the equivalent loudness and exam duration to safe noise standards set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Results: Monkeys, dogs, cats, pigs, and rabbits are frequently exposed to equivalent loudness levels during MRI scans beyond what is considered safe for human exposure. The sensitive frequency ranges for rats and mice are shifted substantially upward and their equivalent loudness levels fall within the NIOSH safe zone. Conclusion: MRI exposes many animals to levels of noise and duration that would exceed NIOSH human exposure limits. Researchers and veterinarians should use hearing protection for animals during MRI scans. Experimental research animals used in MRI studies are frequently kept and reimaged, and hearing loss could result in changed behavior. Damage to companion animals' hearing could make them less sensitive to commands and generally worsen interactions with family members. Much quieter MRI scanners would help decrease stress and potential harm to scanned animals, normalize physiology during MRI, and enable MRI of awake animals. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:743–747. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MEASURING LAMBDA THROUGH SELF-REPORTS*

The Rand Corporation 's pioneering study on self-reported measures of individual offending rates has generated considerable controversy. In this study, the Rand methodology was refined in an attempt to achieve more precise estimates of λ Individual interviews, a more detailed calendar system, and month-by-month reporting were used with an intake cohort of 403 recently convicted male offenders. This paper examines variability in offending rates within individuals, in particular their highest rates and most recent rates, and the implications for measuring λ
Ember: a case study of a digital memorial museum of born-digital artifacts

This paper discusses the creation of Ember, a collection of borndigital artifacts generated in the aftermath of the 1999 Aggie Bonfire collapse. Ember is an example of a previously unexamined class of cultural heritage digital libraries, which we describe as a digital memorial museum. Ember's artifacts consist of emails, photos, documents, and web pages that the communities surrounding the tragedy created. Due to the community investment and the personal nature of the artifacts, concerns arise on how the collection should be properly handled, which leads us to propose "Sensitivity" as an addition to the 5S model. Initially, we are focusing on the email portion of the collection, which can be viewed as the basis of an emerging oral tradition surrounding the Bonfire tragedy.
Genomics: Implications for Anesthesia, Perioperative Care and Outcomes

Advances in genetics as a result of the Human Genome Project and 100 years of prior human genetics have recently led to numerous studies associating genetic variation with common diseases such as coronary artery disease, type II diabetes, atrial fibrillation, autism and schizophrenia, amongst many others. Before 2005, the field was poorly represented by a small number of underpowered and unreplicated genetic association studies examining single genes, with only a few well-validated genetic risk factors for common disease. The fundamental advance in the field that enabled identification of important genetic associations with disease since 2005 was identification of most of the common variations in the human genome, and the technology to examine more than 500,000 of those variants in a single individual for a cost of less than US $600. In contrast to common acquired diseases that make up most of the health care burden in the Western world, there are numerous genetic diseases that are rare in the overall population, but are profoundly debilitating or lethal in a much smaller number of individuals. These are often obvious earlier in life, are strongly inherited, and are little modified by other nongenetic influences. Because they are rare and inherited, they are often studied in small family kindreds. These are often called Mendelian disease because of the nature of their inheritance, and the first recognized example, alcaptonuia, was discovered more than 100 years ago. Other examples are sickle cell disease, malignant hyperthermia, and the pseudocholinesterase deficiencies. This review outlines recent developments in human genetics that affect anesthesiologists in their clinical practice. The fundamental principles of genetic variation are discussed, and the technology used to identify genetic variation in studies of gene-disease associations is described with examples of its value, notably in common diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and atrial
The fine structure of blood vessels in chromophobe adenoma.

The fine structure of the small blood vessels in chromophobe adenoma was compared to normal pituitary. The most striking difference was the relative paucity of endothelial fenestrae in the tumor accompanied by a widened perivascular space. The origin of these changes and their possible functional significance are discussed.
Current issues in organophosphate toxicology

Organophosphates (OPs) are one of the main classes of insecticides, in use since the mid 1940s. OPs can exert significant adverse effects in non-target species including humans. Because of the phosphorylation of acetylcholinesterase, they exert primarily a cholinergic toxicity, however, some can also cause a delayed polyneuropathy. Currently debated and investigated issues in the toxicology of OPs are presented in this review. These include: 1) possible long-term effects of chronic low-level exposures; 2) genetic susceptibility to OP toxicity; 3) developmental toxicity and neurotoxicity; 4) common mechanism of action; 5) mechanisms of delayed neurotoxicity; and 6) possible additional OP targets. Continuing and recent debates, and molecular advances in these areas, and their contributions to our understanding of the toxicology of OPs are discussed.
Low-potential stable detection of β-NADH at sol–gel derived carbon composite electrodes

Abstract Sol–gel derived carbon composite electrodes, prepared from different non-silicate metal alkoxide precursors, offer a substantial decrease in the overvoltage of the NADH oxidation reaction (compared to ordinary carbon electrodes). Such promotion is attributed to acceleration of the proton-transfer step by the metal-oxide component of the composite. Passivation problems, accrued by accumulation of reaction products, are also greatly minimized. Both titania–, zirconia–sol–gel carbon composite electrodes thus offer a highly sensitive and stable anodic detection of NADH at +0.2 V. Greatly improved retention of the redox mediator Meldola Blue within the sol–gel network permits convenient measurements at NADH at −0.1 V. These improvements indicate great promise for the design of dehydrogenase-based amperometic biosensors. An intrinsic activation action by the metal-oxide component is also reported towards the oxidation of hydrazine, hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid and catechol. Low-potential detection of NADH is also illustrated at microfabricated titania/carbon screen-printed electrodes.
Profiling students for remediation using latent class analysis

While clinical exams using SPs are used extensively across the medical schools for summative purposes and high-stakes decisions, the method of identifying students for remediation varies widely and there is a lack of consensus on the best methodological approach. The purpose of this study is to provide an alternative approach to identification of students for remediation using the latent class analysis (LCA) technique. 147 third year medical students participating in the Clinical Performance Examination (CPX) are included in the study. We used LCA to identify students who potentially need remediation based on their performance on CPX. Three distinct clusters of students with different performance profiles were identified. The identification of two rather than one low performing group has significant implications for identifying cut-points as well as for remediation programs. The two low performing groups in our study had low scores on contrasting sets of cases. LCA presents an alternative approach to identification of borderline or low performing groups. This method provides advantages over traditional statistical techniques such as cluster analysis used for grouping students. Based on the flexibility of the model specification, within the LCA framework, we were able to identify more than one group that may need remediation or instruction support.
Space Technology 7 -- Micropropulsion and Mass Distribution

The NASA New Millennium Program Space Technology 7 (ST7) project will validate technology for precision spacecraft control. The ST7 distrubance reduction system (DRS) will contain new micropulsion technology to be flown as part of the European Space Agency's LISA (laser interferometer space antenna) Pathfinder project. After launch into a low Earth orbit in early 2010, the LISA Pathfinder spacecraft will be maneuvered to a halo orbit about the Earth-Sun LI Lagrange point for operations. The DRS will control the position of the spacecraft relative to a reference to an accuracy of one nanometer over time scales of several thousand seconds. To perform the control the spacecraft will use a new colloid thruster technology. The thrusters will operate over the range of 5 to 30 micro-Newtons with precision of 0.1 micro-Newton. The thrust will be generated by using a high electric field to extract charged droplets of a conducting colloid fluid and accelerating them with a precisely adjustable voltage. The control position reference will be provided by the European LISA Technology Package, which will include two nearly free-floating test masses. The test mass position and attitude will be sensed and adjusted using electrostatic capacitance bridges. The DRS will control the spacecraft position with respect to one test mass while minimizing disturbances on the second test mass. The dynamic control system will cover eighteen degrees of freedom, six for each of the test masses and six for the spacecraft. In the absence of other disturbances, the test masses will slowly gravitate toward local concentrations of spacecraft mass. The test mass acceleration must be minimized to maintain the acceleration of the enclosing drag-free spacecraft within the control authority of the micropropulsion system. Therefore, test mass acceleration must be predicted by accurate measurement of mass distribution, then offset by the placement of specially shaped balance masses near each test mass. The acceleration is characterized by calculating the gravitational effect of over ten million modeled points of a nearly 500-kg spacecraft. This paper provides an overview of the mission technology and the process of precision mass modeling of the DRS equipment.
Flow-dependent empirical singular vector with an ensemble Kalman filter data assimilation for El Nino prediction

In this study, a new approach for extracting flow-dependent empirical singular vectors (FESVs) for seasonal prediction using ensemble perturbations obtained from an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) assimilation is presented. Due to the short interval between analyses, EnKF perturbations primarily contain instabilities related to fast weather variability. To isolate slower, coupled instabilities that would be more suitable for seasonal prediction, an empirical linear operator for seasonal time-scales (i.e. several months) is formulated using a causality hypothesis; then, the most unstable mode from the linear operator is extracted for seasonal time-scales. It is shown that the flow-dependent operator represents nonlinear integration results better than a conventional empirical linear operator static in time. Through 20 years of retrospective seasonal predictions, it is shown that the skill of forecasting equatorial SST anomalies using the FESV is systematically improved over that using Conventional ESV (CESV). For example, the correlation skill of the NINO3 SST index using FESV is higher, by about 0.1, than that of CESV at 8-month leads. In addition, the forecast skill improvement is significant over the locations where the correlation skill of conventional methods is relatively low, indicating that the FESV is effective where the initial uncertainty is large.
Application of Jacobi polynomial methods to the one-speed transport equation

Abstract The transport equations associated with radiation damage studies are often solved using expansions in Legendre polynomials. The radiation damage distribution functions which satisfy these equations may be sharply peaked in the forward direction, while the Legendre polynomials, as a set, are isotropic. This situation requires the use of many terms in the Legendre expansion in order to adequately represent the distribution functions. The Jacobi polynomials, on the other hand, can have strong peaking built into their associated weight function. To test the usefulness of the Jacobi polynomials we use them to solve the simple, one-speed, neutron transport equation. The results are then compared to the exact theory and to the results of applying Legendre methods to the same problem. This sample calculation demonstrates the advantage of the Jacobi polynomials in strongly non-isotropic situations.
HCV treatment decision-making substance use experiences and hepatitis C treatment decision-making among HIV/HCV Coinfected Adults

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major source of morbidity and mortality among substance users and persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Treatment for chronic HCV infection involves complex decision-making. These decisions are even more complicated in persons with HIV and substance use related problems. A secondary analyses of qualitative data collected in the United States (2004-2005) with 31 HIV/HCV coinfected adults (48% women; mean age 44.7 years) revealed three themes related to substance use (substance use evolution, revolving door: going back out and reconstructing life) and two HCV treatment decision-making themes (HCV infection treatment issues: not a priority, fear, misinformation and get clean and try it). Study limitations and implications are discussed.
The Chaining of Social Problems: Solutions and Unintended Consequences in the Age of Betrayal

Social problems are linked in complex, dynamic, and interconnected webs. As a result, “solving” social problems creates both opportunities and constraints that, in turn, generate other problems through a process that I term the “chaining of social problems.” This argument depends on the understanding of the role of unanticipated consequences, a point made by Robert Merton, and subsequently by Lewis Coser in his 1968 Presidential Address to the Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP). I consider four methods by which problem solutions can create further problems: incrementalism, slotting, counter-movements, and unintended effects. To explore how social problems are chained I examine twentieth-century episodes of political subversion and regime disloyalty in the United States, examining five moments of contention and their effects: the Palmer Raids of 1919 and 1920, the Brown Scare of 1940 to 1944, McCarthyism from 1947 to 1954, attacks on the New Left from 1965 through 1971, and the aftermath of 9/11 from 2001 to 2005.
Confronting misconduct in science in the 1980s and 1990s: what has and has not been accomplished?

In 1985, after nearly a decade of inconclusive professional response to public concern about misconduct in research, Congress passed legislation requiring action. Subsequent to this legislation, federal agencies and research universities adopted policies for responding to allegations of misconduct in research. Conferences, sessions at professional meetings, and special publications were organized. New educational initiatives were begun, many in response to a 1989 National Institutes of Health/ Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration requirement to include ethics instruction in training grants. Notwithstanding a few key unresolved issues, such as the lack of a uniform federal definition of misconduct in research, the years since 1985 have witnessed a marked change in the professional response to misconduct in research. This paper evaluates the change since 1985 from the perspective of three key goals: 1) confronting misconduct, 2) promoting integrity and 3) ensuring integrity. While significant progress has been made in achieving the first two goals, the third remains largely unaddressed. The latter is due to the fact that researchers have not been interested in studying the integrity of their own profession. It is therefore suggested that studies are needed of routine or normal research practices and their impact on integrity for use in making decisions about research conduct policy.