cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selective neuronal death after transient forebrain ischemia in the mongolian gerbil: A silver impregnation study

Abstract An important feature of ischemic brain damage is the exceptional vulnerability of specific neuronal populations and the relative resistance of others. Silver impregnation was used to delineate the extent and time-course of neuronal degeneration produced by 5 min of complete forebrain ischemia in the Mongolian gerbil. Lesions were confined to four brain regions: (1) hippocampal areas CA1, CA2-CA3a and CA4; (2) the dorsomedial portion of the lateral septal nucleus; (3) the dorsolateral portion of the striatum; and (4) the somatosensory neocortex. The ischemic lesion evolved with time in all four regions, but at different rates. Somatic argyrophilia developed rapidly in the striatum and hippocampal area CA4 (maximal in 24 h or less), at intermediate rates in the somatosensory neocortex, hippocampal areas CA1a and CA2-CA3a and the lateral septal nucleus (maximal in 2 days), and slowly in hippocampal area CA1b (maximal in 3 days). These results emphasize that the extent and rate of neuronal degeneration can vary even within a presumably homogeneous neuronal population, as evidenced by the different results in areas CA1a and CA1b. Similar results were obtained from analysis of brain sections stained with Cresyl Violet, hematoxylin-eosin or hematoxylin-eosin/Luxol Fast Blue. Terminal-like silver granules were observed in the projection fields of degenerated neurons. They also appeared, however, in the perforant path terminal zone of the hippocampal dentate molecular layer 1–2 days after transient ischemia and in stratum oriens and stratum radiatum of area CA1b prior to somatic degeneration. These granular deposits could not be clearly related to the degeneration of neuronal somata. Novel findings of this study include the degeneration of some dentate basket cells and lateral septal neurons and the appearance of terminal-like argyrophilia in the hippocampal formation without any obvious relation to somatic degeneration. Some of our results lend support to the hypothesis that ischemic neuronal cell death constitutes an excitotoxic process. Other results, however, suggest that the selective vulnerability of neurons to transient ischemia must involve factors beyond excitotoxicity.
Spectroscopic evaluation of living murine macrophage cells before and after activation using attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy

Abstract Infection activates immune response pathways in host macrophages and lymphocytes that might be of sufficient magnitude to facilitate early diagnoses of infections through a host immune biosignature. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared spectroscopy was used to examine the spectroscopic signatures of living mouse macrophage cells before and after activation. Cells were prepared as control samples, or activated with a combination of lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and analyzed 21 h after treatment. Resulting ATR/IR spectra collected from the living cells were analyzed using principal components analysis (PCA) and other classification methods. Plotting the scores from the first two principal components against one another provides good separation between activated and control samples. Interpretation of the loadings plots indicated that cellular activation was associated with changes in nucleic acid, protein and lipid infrared bands. Spectral samples were used to develop classification models based on activation status. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and K -nearest neighbor ( K -NN) models were developed with 100% classification rates, using leave-one-out cross-validation procedures. Activated macrophages can be distinguished from macrophages in the resting state by their ATR spectroscopy biosignatures.
Rotational Spectra, Nuclear Quadrupole Coupling Tensors, and Structures for CF 3 CF 2 X, X=Cl, Br

Abstract A chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave spectrometer was used to obtain pure rotational spectra for CF 3 CF 2 Cl between 8 GHz and 16 GHz, and for CF 3 CF 2 Br between 8 GHz and 14 GHz. In both cases rotational constants, quartic centrifugal distortion constants and chlorine/bromine nuclear electric quadrupole coupling tensors were obtained for the first time. For both compounds only the trans conformer was observed. Quantum chemical calculations have provided structures with rotational constants closely matching the experimental values. For CF 3 CF 2 Br the spectra collected were sufficiently strong that the C-13 isotopologues could be observed in natural abundance. Δ J = 2 transitions were observed in the rotational spectrum of CF 3 CF 2 Br, but were not observed in the spectrum for CF 3 CF 2 Cl.
FDA regulation of cardiovascular devices and opportunities for improvement

Medical devices are of increasing importance in cardiovascular disease and have made important contributions to patient care. These devices continue to evolve with increasing complexity. FDA regulation of medical devices involves increased stringency for higher risk and novel devices. However, there are some current opportunities to strengthen the FDA's pre-approval regulatory process and improve post-marketing surveillance. This article reviews FDA regulation of cardiovascular devices and offers suggestions for strengthening the process while focusing on examples relevant to cardiac electrophysiologists.
Genetic and epigenetic inactivation of LPL gene in human prostate cancer

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is in chromosome 8p22, site of one of the most common somatic deletions in prostate tumors. Additionally, a CpG island (CGI) was identified in the LPL promoter region. To test the hypothesis that LPL is a tumor suppressor gene, which is inactivated by somatic deletion and hypermethylation in prostate cancer, we evaluated somatic DNA deletion and methylation status at LPL in 56 pairs of DNA samples isolated from prostate cancer tissues and matching normal controls and 11 prostate cell lines. We found that the DNA in 21 of 56 primary cancers (38%) was methylated in the LPL promoter CGI, whereas no methylation was detected in any normal samples. In addition, we found a hemizygous deletion at LPL in 38 of the 56 tumors (68%). When the results of deletion and methylation were considered together, we found LPL promoter CGI methylation occurred in 45% of LPL deleted tumors and in 22% of LPL retained tumors. Within several clinical characteristics tested, the preoperative PSA levels were found to be significantly higher in subjects with LPL promoter CGI methylation compared with subjects without LPL promoter methylation (p = 0.0012). Additionally, demethylation of the LPL promoter CGI was accompanied by transcriptional reactivation of LPL in the prostate cancer cell lines DU145 and PC3. In summary, we report a novel finding that the LPL gene is commonly methylated in prostate tumors, and our results suggest that biallelic inactivation of LPL by chromosomal deletion and promoter hypermethylation may play a role in human prostate cancer.
Analysis of Regulatory Guidance Values for Residential Surface Soil Arsenic Exposure

Residential surface soil regulatory guidance values (RGVs) specify the threshold at which soil contamination requires action. Usually, RGVs are risk-based values based on child ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 45 U.S. states, and 27 other nations have developed arsenic surface soil RGVs. Regulating arsenic poses unusual problems because it presents both cancer and noncancer risks, and its background concentration often exceeds health-based risk levels. Statistical analyses are presented to characterize 119 arsenic surface soil RGVs. State values vary between 0.039 and 200 mg/kg. Worldwide values vary between 1.7 and 687 mg/kg. The U.S. and worldwide values resemble lognormal probability distributions but the data cannot be mingled since worldwide values are significantly higher. An analysis of 40 arsenic background studies yielding averages between 1.3 and 45.1 mg/kg is also presented. Monte Carlo simulations of screening model calculations are used to explore the impact of coefficient uncertainty. Results indicate that 95% of cancer-based results should fall between 0.004 and 2.7 mg/kg and 95% of noncancer results should fall between 1.0 and 40 mg/kg. Although U.S. state arsenic RGVs vary by 3.7 orders of magnitude, most values appear to fall within the bounds of plausible risk- and background-based values.
SEED GERMINATION OF SIERRA NEVADA POSTFIRE CHAPARRAL SPECIES

ABSTRACT The California chaparral community has a rich flora of species with different mechanisms for cuing germination to postfire conditions. Here we report further germination experiments that elucidate the response of several widespread shrub species whose germination response was not clear and include other species from the Sierra Nevada, which have not previously been included in germination studies. The shrubs Adenostoma fasciculatum and Eriodictyon crassifolium and the postfire annual Mentzelia dispersa exhibited highly significant germination in response to smoke treatments, with some enhanced germination in response to heating as well. The shrubs Fremontodendron californicum and Malacothamnus fremontii were stimulated only by heat-shock treatments. Seeds buried in the soil for one year exhibited substantially higher germination for controls and most treatments. In the case of two postfire annuals, Mimulus bolanderi and M. gracilipes, germination of fresh seed was significantly greater with smoke...
Reducing the validation bottleneck with a knowledge-based, distributed simulation environment

This paper reviews the concepts of a theory of modelling and simulation that relate to the validation enterprise. The theory provides a vocabulary, concepts, and mathematically rigorous tools with which to tackle problems in simulation model validation. We have implemented a hierarchical, distributed, object-oriented, and knowledge-based modelling and simulation environment in Ada. The environment, DEVS-Ada, provides portability, a standard model specification language, the means to manage a model repository, the ability to reuse models, and distributed simulation. We show how DEVS-Ada can exploit the parallelism intrinsic in the multiple execution of simultaneous experiments required for model validation. Faster execution of such a computationally intensive process reduces the bottleneck that validation imposes in the model development process and enables greater confidence to be achieved in the results. We also discuss the desirability of a more global view of validation which requires parallel symbolic analysis of a newly created model relative to existing models in a model base.
Detection of Unidirectional Multiple Errors Using Low-Cost Arithmetic Codes

We show that a low-cost arithmtetic code with group length n detects all unidirectional multiple errors that affect fewer than n bits, as well as a larger class of such errors confined to a restricted set of bit positions.
Boundaries of the Self: Chinese Portraits, 1600-1900

Boundaries of the Self explores developments in the functions and significance of informal portraiture in later Ming and Qing dynasty China, from about AD 1600-1900. The study focuses on images of artists, including self-portraits, and their associates from centres of painting in Southeastern China, that lay outside regulated systems of formal ancestral, or religious portraiture. Detailed analyses of innovative portraits and their closely related inscriptional texts reveal complex strategies of construction of identity and cultural role, in an era marked by deep political and social transformations that made the status of the artist and literary person problematic. The relationships of Chinese portrait paintings to a variety of texts - inscriptions, theoretical writings and treatises, and narratives of portrayal - as well as to the broader cultural fictions of role and type are another prominent concern of this study.
The NASA program in Astroparticle Physics

The program related to Astroparticle Physics studies in the Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are described. This paper focuses on the results from the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, ROSAT, and ASCA, missions which study emissions from very hot plasmas, nuclear processes and high energy particle interactions in space. Results to be discussed include gamma ray beaming from Active Galactic Nuclei, gamma ray emission from pulsars, radioactive elements in the interstellar medium, X-ray emission from clusters of galaxies, and the progress being made to unravel the gamma ray burst mystery. Future planned missions such as the X-ray Timing Explorer and Astro-E are also discussed.
Illustrating Business Marketing Concepts Through the Value Chain Game

The Value Chain Game is an activity that helps students to develop a holistic understanding of the processes and challenges in managing the value chain so that customer needs are met. Competing value chains work to produce and sell two products. Seasonal demand, quality defects, transportation delays, and audits offer complexities that represent challenges faced in the selection, production, and distribution of products to customers throughout the value chain. The Value Chain Game integrates the 4 P’s (product, price, place, promotion) from the perspective of a chain of organizations instead of a single company. During the activity, students utilize collaboration, pricing, and negotiation skills.
In vivo near-IR imaging of approximal dental decay at 1,310 nm

Objective The high transparency of dental enamel in the near-IR (NIR) light at 1,310-nm can be exploited for imaging dental caries without the use of ionizing radiation (X-rays). We present the results of the first in vivo imaging study in which NIR images were acquired of approximal contact surfaces. Methods NIR imaging hand-pieces were developed and attached to a compact InGaAs focal plane array and subsequently used to acquire in vivo NIR images of 33 caries lesions on 18 test subjects. The carious lesions were discernible on bitewing radiographs, but were not visible upon clinical examination. Results NIR images were acquired in vivo from three directions and the majority of lesions examined were too small to require restoration, based on accepted bitewing radiograph criteria. All but one of the 33 lesions examined were successfully imaged from at least one direction. Conclusion This first in vivo study of imaging at the 1,310-nm wavelength region shows that NIR imaging has great potential as a screening tool for the detection of approximal lesions without the use of ionizing radiation. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:292–298, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Fabrication of microfluidic vascular phantoms by laser micromachining

Imaging of capillary structures and monitoring of blood flow within vasculature is becoming more common in clinical settings. However, very few dynamic phantoms exist which mimic capillary structures. We report the fabrication and testing of microfluidic, vascular phantoms aimed at the study of blood flow. These phantoms are fabricated using low-cost, off-the-shelf materials and require no lithographic processing, stamping, or embossing. Using laser micromachining, complex microfluidic structures can be fabricated in under an hour. The laser system is capable of producing microfluidic features with sizes on the order of tens of microns, over an area of several square centimeters. Because the laser micromachining system is computer controlled and accepts both vector and raster files, the microfluidic structure can be simple, rectilinear patterns or complex, anatomically correct patterns. The microfluidic devices interface with simple off the shelf syringe pumps. The microfluidic devices fabricated with this technique were used for non-invasive monitoring of flow using speckle based techniques.
Alleged effects of the near ultraviolet on human vision.

It has been reported that short exposures of the human eye to near ultraviolet radiation in the wavelength range 290–365 mμ produce appreciable changes in subsequent dark adaptation, and a lasting depression of visual sensitivity, rod and cone. These reports are hard to reconcile with the fact that only traces of such radiation reach the retina. Wavelengths shorter than 300 mμ are absorbed by the cornea of the eye, and they can do damage; longer wavelengths up to 400 mμ are absorbed in the lens. The assertion that such radiations affect the visual sensitivity is reexamined in the present paper. Exposures to ultraviolet light identical with those referred to produce no appreciable effects on subsequent dark adaptation of the normal eye, rod or cone. In lensless (aphakic) subjects, near ultraviolet radiation in the neighborhood of 365 mμ does reach the retina and is clearly visible. Even in such persons, exposure to the near ultraviolet does not affect the threshold of rod vision after 20 minutes of dark adaptation. The early portions of dark adaptation—the adaptation of the cones, and sometimes also the early rod thresholds—may be raised; but these changes are caused, not by intrinsic effects of the ultraviolet, but by the increased brightness to which it gives rise in the aphakic eye.It is concluded that ultraviolet radiations which might harm the retina do not reach it; those which reach the retina do it no harm, and can at most be seen.
Solar Oblateness and Fluid Spin-Down

An experiment performed on a differentially rotating, density-stratified fluid shows that "spin-down" need not occur under the condition of stratification. Inasmuch as density stratification occurs in the interior of the sun, spin-down probably does not exist in the solar interior, and the observed solar oblateness may indicate that the sun contains a rapidly spinning core.
The Shared Experiences: Facilitating Successful Transfer of Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Fields

This chapter addresses critical issues as related to the experiences of women and underrepresented minority (URM) transfer-student success in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. Addition-ally, this chapter will highlight implications for fostering the successful transfer experiences for these populations.For the purposes of this chapter, URMs is defined by the National Sci-ence Foundation to include African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders (NSF, 2012).
The Setting of Psychiatric Care for Medicare Recipients in General Hospitals With Specialty Units

This study examined the patient and hospital characteristics associated with whether patients with psychiatric disorders were treated on the psychiatric unit or on medical wards after admission to general hospitals with psychiatric units. Medicare data for 169,798 beneficiaries who had psychiatric disorders and were admitted to general hospitals with psychiatric units were used to estimate logistic regressions of the probability of treatment on the unit. Results showed that beneficiaries who had more than one psychiatric diagnosis (except for substance use disorders), state buy-in coverage such as Medicaid, or previous psychiatric hospitalizations or who had ever been eligible for Medicare through disability were more likely to be treated on the unit. Those who were older, admitted through the emergency department, or had greater medical morbidity or primary diagnoses other than schizophrenia or bipolar or major affective disorders were less likely to be treated on the unit.
Transmembrane Redox Signaling Activates NF-κB in Macrophages

Abstract In macrophages, NF-κB can be activated by H 2 O 2 generated by the respiratory burst or added exogenously. The mechanism of H 2 O 2 signaling may involve changes in the cellular redox state or a redox reaction at the plasma membrane; however, the site of H 2 O 2 action cannot be readily ascertained because of its membrane permeability. Ferricyanide, a nonpermeable redox active anion, activated NF-κB in the macrophage cell line, J774A.1. In contrast with exogenous H 2 O 2 , activation by ferricyanide did not correlate with net oxidation of NAD(P)H or glutathione, suggesting that a transplasma membrane redox reaction itself was the first signaling process in NF-κB activation.
On reactive shear bands

Abstract One mechanism for ignition of propellants and explosives involves shear banding, in which the healing due to visco-plastic effects combines with the reactive heating to reduce the critical size. To study this process, the analysis of Frank-Kamenetskii is generalized herein to account for mechanical effects (shear). By means of a dimensional analysis and numerical integration the general solution is reduced to a graph involving a dimensionless width and a dimensionless heating.
Sequence entropy and mixing

Abstract The relationship between sequence entropy and mixing is examined. Let T be an automorphism of a Lebesgue space X, L 0 denote the set of all partitions of X possessing finite entropy, and S denote the set of all increasing sequences of positive integers. It is shown that: (1) T is mixing /a2 supA ⊂ BhA(T, α) = H(α) for all B∈I and α∈Z0. (2) T is weakly mixing /a2 supA hA(T, α) = H(α) for all α∈Z0. (3) If T is partially mixing with constant c (1 − 1 e , then supA ⊂ B hA(T, α) > cH(α) for all B∈I and nontrivial α∈Z0. (4) If supA ⊂ B hA(T, α) > 0 for all B∈I and nontrivial α∈Z0, then T is weakly mixing.
Detection and recognition of stop consonants by normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners.

This study examined the possibility that hearing-impaired listeners, in addition to displaying poorer-than-normal recognition of speech presented in background noise, require a larger signal-to-noi...
Ideological self-schemata and schematically induced attitude consistency

Abstract This paper reports the results of a study which attempted to influence the level of expressed political attitude consistency by activating a “liberal-conservative” schema. The primary prediction was that attitudes elicited under direction of this general schema would be more mutually consistent than attitudes expressed without schematic direction. The results supported this prediction, but only for subjects who were “ideologically self-schematic,” that is, those subjects who defined themselves in adjectives which are characteristic of liberals or conservatives or who rated themselves on the extreme ends of a liberal-conservative self-rating scale. The results are interpreted as supportive of the generality of the effects of differences in the accessibility of specific constructs produced either by chronic individual differences or by trait priming.
Latest trends in radar system testing

Radar systems were initially limited to military applications, but today most people encounter radar applications everyday. Given the broad range of applications, a variety of radar types and technologies have emerged to meet unique needs. This paper discusses about the latest advances on system performance and testing of radar systems. When performing characterization of a radar receiver design, a variety of signals are required to accurately recreate the operational environment. This paper will review the test signal environment needed for evaluation of various modern radar systems. Performance considerations in terms of signal source fidelity and spectral purity will also be investigated.
A mixed method approach to examining Facebook use and its relationship to self-esteem

The current study examined the relationship between self-esteem and Facebook use in sample of college-age participants (N=201). Online methods were used to collect data. Consistent with the social compensation hypothesis, results indicate that self-esteem level was related to engaging in different on-line behaviors. For example, lower self-esteem was associated with feelings of connectedness to Facebook, more frequently untagging oneself in photos, and accepting friend requests from individuals that one does not know well. Qualitative analyses indicated that individuals with higher self-esteem were more likely to report that a positive aspect of Facebook was the ability to share pictures, thoughts, and ideas, and to report that other posts could become annoying or bothersome.
Rangeland Monitoring and Fire: Wildfires and Prescribed Burning, Nutrient Cycling, and Plant Succession

Prescribed fires are used to manipulate and manage rangelands, but effective monitoring techniques are needed to ensure that management goals and objectives are being met. The application of an effective fire program on rangelands is not a simple task. Overgrazing by livestock since the early development of the livestock industry has altered the vegetative complex on most rangelands with an increase in woody plants. Because of its relatively low cost, prescribed fire, both cool and warm season, are sustainable practices if proper grazing management is part of the management scheme. Grazing management and prescribed fire have often been treated as separate issues by rangeland managers; however, development and application of an effective prescribed burning program requires an understanding of the relationship between fire and grazing. Ranchers need fuel (grass) to burn and they also need income from livestock, which requires forage (grass, a major part of forage). In the short-term, fire reduces carrying c...
Reading the clock: how Purkinje cells decode the phase of olivary oscillations.

Climbing fiber responses in cerebellar Purkinje cells are described as being invariant. In this issue of Neuron , Mathy et al. show that the complex spike waveform changes with the number of spikes in a climbing fiber burst, which depends on the phase of olivary oscillations. In turn, different complex spike profiles affect synaptic plasticity at parallel fiber synapses. Thus, information on inferior olive oscillation states is reflected in both the complex spike waveform and the parallel fiber input gain.
Design Concept For An Optical Numerical Computer Based On The Residue Number System

The concept of computation modules for an optical residue computer is introduced. The application of the computation modules in mathematical computation, coding and decod-ing is demonstrated. An optimization technique for the module circuit design is also presented. Very high throughput rate is achieved with the use of parallel computation structures and the pipelining of sequential operations.
The p14ARF Alternate Reading Frame Protein Enhances DNA Binding of Topoisomerase I by Interacting with the Serine 506-Phosphorylated Core Domain

In addition to its well-characterized function as a tumor suppressor, p14ARF (ARF) is a positive regulator of topoisomerase I (topo I), a central enzyme in DNA metabolism and a target for cancer therapy. We previously showed that topo I hyperphosphorylation, a cancer-associated event mediated by elevated levels of the protein kinase CK2, increases topo I activity and the cellular sensitivity to topo I-targeted drugs. Topo I hyperphosphorylation also increases its interaction with ARF. Because the ARF−topo I interaction could be highly relevant to DNA metabolism and cancer treatment, we identified the regions of topo I involved in ARF binding and characterized the effects of ARF binding on topo I function. Using a series of topo I deletion constructs, we found that ARF interacted with the topo I core domain, which encompasses most of the catalytic and DNA-interacting residues. ARF binding increased the DNA relaxation activity of hyperphosphorylated topo I by enhancing its association with DNA, but did not affect the topo I catalytic rate. In cells, ARF promoted the chromatin association of hyperphosphorylated, but not basal phosphorylated, topo I, and increased topo I-mediated DNA nicking under conditions of oxidative stress. The aberrant nicking was found to correlate with increased formation of DNA double-strand breaks, which are precursors of many genome destabilizing events. The results suggest that the convergent actions of oxidative stress and elevated CK2 and ARF levels, which are common features of cancer cells, lead to a dysregulation of topo I that may contribute both to the cellular response to topo I-targeted drugs and to genome instability.
Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance in Mixed Cultures of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

of resistance to the others. Resistance was not transferred in the presence of DNase, and transfer was most probably due to transformation of competent clonal type 1 or 2 recipients by DNA liberated from the donor strain into the culture broth. The results are of potential relevance to clinical problems of development and spread of antibiotic-resistant gonococci.
cDNA cloning and baculovirus expression of the human liver endoplasmic reticulum P58: Characterization as a protein disulfide isomerase isoform, but not as a protease or a carnitine acyltransferase

The function of a 58-kDa liver microsomal protein (P58) is controversial. To help clarify the physiological function of this protein, particularly in humans, a full-length human liver cDNA clone was isolated, sequenced, and expressed in milligram quantities with the use of a baculovirus expression system. The deduced amino acid sequence of the mature protein contained two thioredoxin-like active site motifs (CGHC) and in its C-terminus a nuclear localization motif (KPKKKKK), and an ER-retention/retrieval motif (QEDL). The mature form of human P58 shared 95% amino acid sequence identity with the deduced amino acid sequences of a bovine liver cDNA, 93% with a murine B lymphocyte cDNA, and 91% with a rat basophilic leukemia cell cDNA. In contrast to reports on the activities of nonhuman forms of P58, the purified expressed human P58 showed no carnitine acyltransferase or protease activities. However, it did have protein disulfide isomerase activity, indicating that the physiological activity of human liver P58 may be attributed, at least in part, to this activity.
Does the time span between access thrombosis and intervention affect the outcome of dialysis access declot procedures? Retrospective analysis of a single center experience

Purpose To determine how the success of fistula and graft declot procedures depends on the time span between access thrombosis and intervention. Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of all declot procedures at our institution over a 30 month period (January 2008 through June 2010). Medical records were queried for type and location of access, date of access thrombosis, date of intervention, outcome of intervention, and date of subsequent intervention. The endpoints were clinical success and primary patency as defined by K/DOQI. Data were grouped by the type of access (graft and fistula) and the number of days between thrombosis and intervention (0 day, 1 day, 2 days and > 2 days). The endpoints for each 0 day group were compared to respective 1 day, 2 day and > 2 day groups using the Fisher Exact Test. Results 160 declot procedures were included (122 grafts and 38 fistulas). These involved 88 patients and 100 different accesses (72 grafts and 28 fistulas). For grafts, percent clinical success, primary patency at 90 days and at 1 year were 85%, 45% and 14%, respectively. For fistulas, percent clinical success, primary patency at 90 days and at 1 year were 79%, 61% and 26%, respectively. Comparison of 0 day groups with respective 1 day, 2 day and > 2 day groups are below. Conclusion For both grafts and fistulas, there was a trend toward lower clinical success if intervention was performed at > 2 days after thrombosis, but not at a 1 or 2 day time span. For both grafts and fistulas, primary patency did not depend on the time span between access thrombosis and intervention. Table 1
Monitoring of Subsurface Injection of Wastes, Florida

Injection of waste liquids into Florida's subsurface is physically feasible in many places but should be accompanied by monitoring of the waste-receiving aquifer system in addition to the injection facility. Monitoring of the interaction of factors including hydrogeologic conditions, well construction, waste volumes and characteristics, and potable-water sources is desirable to assure that fresh-water resources are not being adversely affected. An effective aquifer-system monitoring program includes on-site wells located close to an injection well and open to the next-higher permeable stratum, satellite wells located hundreds to several thousands of feet from an injection well and open to the receiving aquifer, and regional wells located miles from individual injection wells and open to the receiving aquifer. An extensive aquifer-system monitoring program associated with two waste-injection facilities near Pensacola, Florida, has provided data which have aided hydrologists to understand the aquifer system's response to the injection and, accordingly, to evaluate the potential for affecting the area's fresh-water resources.
DETERMINATION OF REFLECTANCE OF WHITE ENAMEL FRITS BY TURBIDITY METHOD

A method for the determination of the reflectance of powdered frits is described. Results obtained by this method show a high correlation with the results of standard reflectance tests, particularly when frits are fused at enameling temperatures. The method consists essentially of suspending 0.4 cc. of sample, sized between 270- and 325-mesh, in 10 cc. of clear kerosene and measuring by means of a photoelectric cell the decrease in light transmitted as compared with the light transmitted by kerosene itself. The Cenco-Sheard-Sanford photelometer was used for these measurements.
Dynamic scheduling of large digital computer systems

This research is directed toward the development of a scheduling algorithm for large digital computer systems. To meet this goal, methods of adaptive control and pattern recognition are applied. Simulation studies indicated that the scheduler was able to adapt to changing workloads and it improved the turnaround times significantly.
Through the Eyes of the Student: What College Students Look for, Find, and Think about Sexual Health Resources on Campus

Most college students are sexually active, and high-risk sexual behaviors are common in this population. College health services typically offer sexual health resources, but the extent varies widely and these services may be under-utilized by students. Understanding how a diverse sample of students views college health resources is a critical step towards more effectively addressing students' sexual health needs. Seventy-eight students (mean age = 20.5) from five Minnesota colleges participated in “go-along” interviews in 2010. Colleges included both two- and four-year institutions in metropolitan and non-metro locations, and the student sample was diverse. Participants led researchers around their campus physically and virtually to explore sexual health resources in that setting. Transcribed recordings were coded and organized into descriptive categories. Top resources identified by students included condom distribution programs (88.5 %), on-campus health clinics (80.8 %), off-campus clinics (75.6 %), and sexual health information (71.8 %). Important differences were noted between students at two- and four-year colleges. Students offered many reflections on positive and negative aspects of each resource and suggestions for making resources accessible, comfortable, and useful. Increased communication about available resources was a priority for students. College health service staff and administrators should consider the types of sexual health resources students are interested in, the qualities they value in these resources, and ways to make them available to students. Specific implications for expanding resources may differ in two- vs. four-year colleges.
UHF piezoelectric quartz mems magnetometers based on acoustic coupling of flexural and thickness shear modes

This paper reports the design, fabrication, and characterization of piezoelectric quartz MEMS magnetometers based on acoustic coupling between resonance modes. The magnetic sensors described herein employ a novel transduction scheme to upconvert the desired near-DC magnetic field signal (using the fundamental flexural mode) onto frequency modulated (FM) sidebands of the primary quartz thickness shear (TS) oscillation at frequencies above 500 MHz. First-generation devices exhibit flexural and TS resonances at 2.77 kHz and at 583.31 MHz, respectively, and magnetic sensitivity of 63.6 V/T was measured with an AC loop current of 9.2 mA. This novel sensing method, intended for electronic compassing, illuminates the interactions between low and high frequency acoustic modes within resonant devices.
Prediction of disclinations in nematic elastomers.

Abstract We present a theory for uniaxial nematic elastomers with variable asphericity. As an application of the theory, we consider the time-independent, isochoric extension of a right circular cylinder. Numerical solutions to the resulting differential equation are obtained for a range of extensions. For sufficiently large extensions, there exists an isotropic core of material surrounding the cylinder axis where the asphericity vanishes and in which the polymeric molecules are shaped as spherical coils. This region, corresponding to a disclination of strength +1 manifesting itself along the axis, is bounded by a narrow transition layer across which the asphericity drops rapidly and attains a nontrivial negative value. Away from the disclination, the material is anisotropic, and the polymeric molecules are shaped as ellipsoidal coils of revolution oblate about the radial direction. Along with the area of steeply changing asphericity between isotropic and anisotropic regimes, a marked drop in the free-energy density is observed. The boundary of the disclination core is associated with the location of this energy drop. For realistic choices of material parameters, this criterion yields a core on the order of 10−2 μm, which coincides with observations in conventional liquid crystal melts. Finally, we find that the total energy definitively shows a preference for disclinated states.
Fluorimetric studies of tryptophyl exposure in concanavalin A.

Abstract Studies of the iodide ion quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of Concanavalin A indicate that 50% of the tryptophyl fluorescence originates from exposed residues. This agrees with the X-ray crystallographic determination that two of the four tryptophan residues in a Concanavalin A monomer are on the surface. Previous studies have indicated that conformational changes induced by sugar binding alter the environment of aromatic residues. The present investigation finds that neither the specific binding of α-methyl- d -mannoside nor alteration of the Concanavalin A quaternary structure changes the number or accessibility of the solvent-exposed tryptophan residues. It therefore appears that the major conformational transitions in Concanavalin A do not affect steric access to the surface tryptophans and the effects previously observed may be ascribed to structurally internal tryptophan residues.
Commercial Development at Rural and Small-Town Interstate Exits

Commercial development at 63 rural and small-town Interstate exits is quantified and related to local market wealth, size, geography, access, traffic, site competition, and other development. Five development types (gas stations, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, sit-down restaurants, and motels) are studied. The geographic information system TransCAD 3.0 is used to determine network access and local trade area characteristics. Models are then estimated for each development type using classification and regression techniques separately and in combination. Model estimates are then compared with actual development. Results show that the relationships are complex, often nonlinear; and show high correlation between development types. The findings should be useful for planning exit land use, coordinating market assessments, determining the value of land, and assessing sites for business placement.
Engineering Clostridium acetobutylicum for production of kerosene and diesel blendstock precursors

Processes for the biotechnological production of kerosene and diesel blendstocks are often economically unattractive due to low yields and product titers. Recently, Clostridium acetobutylicum fermentation products acetone, butanol, and ethanol (ABE) were shown to serve as precursors for catalytic upgrading to higher chain-length molecules that can be used as fuel substitutes. To produce suitable kerosene and diesel blendstocks, the butanol:acetone ratio of fermentation products needs to be increased to 2-2.5:1, while ethanol production is minimized. Here we show that the overexpression of selected proteins changes the ratio of ABE products relative to the wild type ATCC 824 strain. Overexpression of the native alcohol/aldehyde dehydrogenase (AAD) has been reported to primarily increase ethanol formation in C. acetobutylicum. We found that overexpression of the AAD(D485G) variant increased ethanol titers by 294%. Catalytic upgrading of the 824(aad(D485G)) ABE products resulted in a blend with nearly 50wt%≤C9 products, which are unsuitable for diesel. To selectively increase butanol production, C. beijerinckii aldehyde dehydrogenase and C. ljungdhalii butanol dehydrogenase were co-expressed (strain designate 824(Cb ald-Cl bdh)), which increased butanol titers by 27% to 16.9gL(-1) while acetone and ethanol titers remained essentially unaffected. The solvent ratio from 824(Cb ald-Cl bdh) resulted in more than 80wt% of catalysis products having a carbon chain length≥C11 which amounts to 9.8gL(-1) of products suitable as kerosene or diesel blendstock based on fermentation volume. To further increase solvent production, we investigated expression of both native and heterologous chaperones in C. acetobutylicum. Expression of a heat shock protein (HSP33) from Bacillus psychrosaccharolyticus increased the total solvent titer by 22%. Co-expression of HSP33 and aldehyde/butanol dehydrogenases further increased ABE formation as well as acetone and butanol yields. HSP33 was identified as the first heterologous chaperone that significantly increases solvent titers above wild type C. acetobutylicum levels, which can be combined with metabolic engineering to further increase solvent production.
Teaching children about dementia: Pilot findings from the hip hop old S.C.H.O.O.L. (Seniors Can Have Optimal aging and Ongoing Longevity) program

Background: Progressive deterioration of communication abilities can contribute to social isolation, reduced quality of life and increased behavioural disturbances for people with dementia, and subsequently lead to placement in residential care. Training community-based aged care staff to use strategies that facilitate communication with people with dementia can help to reduce these negative effects, prior to placement in residential care. Based on research and clinical evidence, the MESSAGE Communication Strategies in Dementia training has been developed to provide staff with evidence-based strategies to facilitate communication with people with dementia. This training provides an opportunity to improve staff communication and support their ability to provide person-centred care, while maintaining people in their own home for as long as possible. Methods: A controlled pre-test/post-test design was used to evaluate the benefits of providing communication skills training to staff providing community-based aged care to people with dementia. The training group (n1⁄413) watched the video-based MESSAGE training, and were provided with individual feedback on strategy use in conversations with clients. Staff in the control group (n1⁄417) continued with care as usual. Outcomes were measured at baseline and 3-months later at follow-up, and included measures of knowledge of communication support strategies, preparedness to provide care, and attitudes to dementia care. Staff knowledge was assessed again for the training group immediately after watching the training video. Results: Staff in the training group demonstrated a significant improvement in their knowledge of communication strategies between baseline and immediately after training (Z1⁄4-2.451, p1⁄40.014), and also, for those training group participants that have completed the 3-month follow-up to date (n1⁄47), between baseline and follow-up (Z1⁄4-1.992, p 1⁄40.046). The training group also showed a significant increase in preparedness to provide care following training (Z1⁄4-2.366, p 1⁄40.018). The control group showed no significant changes in outcomes between baseline and follow-up. Conclusions: The MESSAGE training resulted in increased staff knowledge of communication support in dementia, and improved staff ratings of preparedness to provide care to people with dementia. This training has the potential to lead to sustainable changes in both staff confidence and quality of care when working with people with dementia.
Overview of treatment of acute migraine

Acute migraine is a major public health problem with a significant economic burden secondary to short-term disability and absenteeism. Treatment of acute migraine is always challenging for primary care physicians and family practitioners, as there are no set universal guidelines for the treatment of acute migraine. In acute migraine treatment, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), migraine-specific medications, and adjunctive medications are used, depending on the severity of acute migraine attacks. Treatment of acute migraine has changed drastically since the introduction of the triptans. However, even after the introduction of triptans, nearly one-half of migraine sufferers are still being treated with over-the-counter medications. In this literature review, we mention drugs that are being used in the treatment of acute migraine and their level of evidence recommended by the U.S. Headache Consortium. This article gives special emphasis to pharmacokinetics and clinical characteristics of all available triptans. Drug Dev Res 68:441–448, 2007. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of Experimentally Elevated Traffic Noise on Nestling White-Crowned Sparrow Stress Physiology, Immune Function and Life History

SUMMARY Roads have been associated with behavioral and physiological changes in wildlife. In birds, roads decrease reproductive success and biodiversity and increase physiological stress. Although the consequences of roads on individuals and communities have been well described, the mechanisms through which roads affect birds remain largely unexplored. Here, we examine one mechanism through which roads could affect birds: traffic noise. We exposed nestling mountain white-crowned sparrows ( Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha ) to experimentally elevated traffic noise for 5 days during the nestling period. Following exposure to traffic noise we measured nestling stress physiology, immune function, body size, condition and survival. Based on prior studies, we expected the traffic noise treatment to result in elevated stress hormones (glucocorticoids), and declines in immune function, body size, condition and survival. Surprisingly, nestlings exposed to traffic noise had lower glucocorticoid levels and improved condition relative to control nests. These results indicate that traffic noise does affect physiology and development in white-crowned sparrows, but not at all as predicted. Therefore, when evaluating the mechanisms through which roads affect avian populations, other factors (e.g. edge effects, pollution and mechanical vibration) may be more important than traffic noise in explaining elevated nestling stress responses in this species.