cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strain differences in susceptibility of normal and diabetic rats to acetaminophen hepatotoxicity

The effects of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes on acetaminophen metabolism and hepatotoxicity in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Long Evans Hooded (LEH) rats were compared. In agreement with earlier studies, normal SD rats were more resistant to acetaminophen-induced hepatic necrosis than normal LEH rats. In contrast to LEH rats, the diabetic state did not protect SD rats from liver injury. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that normal SD rats eliminated acetaminophen faster than normal LEH rats, and that the diabetic state further enhanced elimination in both strains of rats; however, the effect was much greater in LEH rats. Normal SD rats had a greater capacity to metabolize acetaminophen to nontoxic glucuronide and sulfate conjugates than normal LEH rats. In LEH rats, the diabetic state enhanced acetaminophen glucuronidation and sulfation, whereas in SD rats the diabetic state increased only sulfation; glucuronidation was unaffected. Additional studies revealed that the difference in the glucuronidation capacities between normal LEH and normal SD rats was not due to differences in either the amount of the enzyme, glucuronyl transferase, or basal hepatic levels of the cofactor, UDPGA. Similarly, the diabetes-induced enhancement of glucuronidation in LEH rats was not due to differences in predrug levels of either glucuronyl transferase or UDPGA. Thus, the major difference in susceptibility of the two strains of normal rats to acetaminophen hepatotoxicity appears to be due to the capacity to clear the drug through nontoxic pathways. The greater glucuronidation capacity seen in diabetic LEH rats and in normal and diabetic SD rats as compared to normal LEH rats, appears to be due to a greater ability to produce UDPGA in response to the metabolic demand.
To the end! Distribution of attention along a tool in peri- and extrapersonal space

This study investigated the distribution of visual attention along a handheld tool depending on functional tool practice and its position in peripersonal or extrapersonal space. We created a tool with two functional parts placed at the tool's middle and end. Participants held the tool over a display such that functional parts were aligned with stimuli for a 50/50, go/no-go, target detection task. In Experiment 1, two groups with no prior tool experience performed the task either in peripersonal (near the body; tool held hori- zontally) or extrapersonal space (beyond arms' reach; tool held straight). Faster response times (RTs) were found for targets at the tool's end and for the peripersonal space group. In Experiment 2, participants used the tool's mid- dle part in a hockey-like game prior to the task to assess functional practice effects. Again, faster RTs were found for targets at the tool's end and in peripersonal space. However, a tool part × space interaction suggested that mid-tool prac- tice reduced performance differences between tool parts but only in peripersonal space. Experiment 3 confirmed the interaction effect when mid-tool practice was constrained to only extrapersonal space. Results suggest that visual atten- tion is naturally drawn to the tool's end but that functional tool use can redistribute attention when positioned in perip- ersonal space. In extrapersonal space, no change was found
Recent influxes of metals into Lake Pepin, a natural lake on the Upper Mississippi River.

The recent chronology of metal deposition was examined in Lake Pepin, a large natural lake on the Upper Mississippi River about 75 km downstream from the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, metropolitan area. The lake, which has a high trapping efficiency for suspended sediments, serves as a sink for metals from industrial and domestic effluents discharged into the river. Sediment cores collected in 1981 from seven locations in the lake were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Al (a reference element). Dating of a core with137Cs indicated that inputs of these metals increased markedly in the late 1950s, peaked in the early 1970s, and decreased in the late 1970s to 1981. Sediment enrichment factors decreased in the order Pb>Cd>Cu⩾Cr>Zn>Ni. The depth of the most highly contaminated strata in the core profiles decreased longitudinally from upstream to downstream—paralleling the upstreamto-downstream decrease in sedimentation rates. Changes in metal inputs to the lake would be most readily detected by analysis of sediments from the uppermost reaches, but the potential for release of sediment-associated metals to the water column is probably greatest in downstream reaches.
The Evolution of Late-Time Optical Emission from SN 1986J

We present late-time optical images and spectra of the Type IIn supernova SN 1986J. HST ACS/WFC images obtained in 2003 February show it to be still relatively bright, with mF606W = 21.4 and mF814W = 20.0 mag. Compared to 1994 December HST WFPC2 images, SN 1986J shows a decline of only 1 mag in brightness over 8 years. Ground-based spectra taken in 1989, 1991, and 2007 show a 50% decline in Hα emission between 1989 and 1991, and an order of magnitude drop between 1991 and 2007, along with the disappearance of He I line emissions during the period 1991-2007. The object's [O I] λλ6300, 6364, [O II] λλ7319, 7330 and [O III] λλ4959, 5007 emission lines show two prominent peaks near –1000 and –3500 km s−1, with the more blueshifted component declining significantly in strength between 1991 and 2007. The observed spectral evolution suggests two different origins for SN 1986J's late-time optical emission: dense, shock-heated circumstellar material, which gave rise to the initially bright Hα, He I, and [N II] λ5755 lines, and reverse-shock-heated O-rich ejecta on the facing expanding hemisphere, dominated by two large clumps generating two blueshifted emission peaks in the [O I], [O II], and [O III] lines.
Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients receiving chronic anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

Purpose To evaluate the effects of multiple intravitreal injections of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents on the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Design Retrospective, observational, consecutive case series of patients diagnosed with wet ARMD. Methods Forty-one eyes of 37 consecutive patients (25 female and 12 male; mean age 79.2 ± 8.7 years) who underwent treatment with pegaptanib, bevacizumab, and/or ranibizumab for ARMD followed by sequential RNFL thickness measurement by optical coherence tomography (OCT) were studied. Patients were included in the analyses if they had greater than 10 total anti-VEGF injections, RNFL measurements prior to the first injection, and at least 12 months of follow-up. Patients were divided into 3 groups depending on which anti-VEGF agent(s) they received. The OCT RNFL measurements at the initial and final follow-up were used for analyses. Results Average follow-up for all patients was 27.0 ± 9.7 months and they received an average of 16.0 ± 5.5 intravitreal injections. The average RNFL thickness at presentation was 92.4 ± 15.2 μm and at last follow-up was 93.8 ± 15.2 μm ( P = .68). There were no statistically significant differences in RNFL measurements when comparing between individual anti-VEGF treatment groups. Conclusion Long-term treatment with anti-VEGF agents did not lead to significant changes in RNFL thickness in a patient population with wet ARMD. Despite the possibility of repeated intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations after intravitreal injections and known neurotrophic properties of VEGF in the eye, chronic therapy with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents does not appear to adversely affect RNFL thickness. Further prospective studies with longer follow-up are needed to corroborate the findings of this study.
A quantitative analysis of variability in brachial plexus anatomy.

The aim of this study was to quantify the lengths of nerve segments within the brachial plexus. Twenty cadavers were dissected bilaterally, giving a total of 40 brachial plexuses for measurement. Individual lengths of plexus segments were measured and recorded, and means and standard deviations were calculated for all data. Differences between the means were statistically evaluated using the Student's t-test. Only 3 of 16 segments were found to be longer in women on average, which included the anterior division of the superior trunk, the anterior division of the middle trunk and the posterior division of the inferior trunk. All three cords (medial, lateral, and posterior) were found to be significantly different between genders, the longer segments being in males. Significant bilateral differences were also observed when right and left brachial plexuses from each cadaver were compared. Extra lateral heads (ELHs) to the median nerve were found in 50% of brachial plexuses, the anatomy of which varied bilaterally as well as between genders. Awareness of this variability is important both to anatomists and to clinicians who operate on and around the brachial plexus. Clin. Anat. 23:210–215, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
MULTIVARIATE WALSH-FOURIER ANALYSIS

. In this paper we establish a statistical methodology for the spectral analysis of stationary multivariate time series via the Walsh-Fourier transform. Theoretical results pertaining to the definition and estimation of the Walsh-Fourier spectral matrix and functions of that matrix including cross-spectra, coherency and phase are given. An example of the statistical techniques developed in this paper is given; in particular, the methodologies are applied to neonatal sleep data collected from a study of the effect of maternal substance use during pregnancy.
Trajectories of Peer Victimization and Perceptions of the Self and Schoolmates: Precursors to Internalizing and Externalizing Problems

Evidence indicates that peer victimization is predictive of later maladjustment, but the mechanisms by which harassment impairs development have yet to be identified. The objectives of this study were (a) to discern normative trends in peer victimization experiences and self- and peer perceptions during preadolescence and (b) to investigate associations between individual differences in these trajectories and changes in psychosocial adjustment. A sample of 381 children (196 girls; 185 boys) was followed longitudinally between the ages of 9 and 11 years. Latent growth curve analyses revealed that, although children's self-appraisals became increasingly positive during preadolescence, their appraisals of peers became more negative. Moreover, analyses supported the contention that self- and peer beliefs act as mechanisms through which victimization is related to psychological dysfunction.
The role of the teacher in learning-based models of parietal area 7a.

Abstract The back-propagation learning procedure can he used to train simulated neural networks to compute arbitrary functions. We have recently shown that when such a network is trained to carry out the transformation of stimulus location to head-centered coordinates that occurs in parietal area 7a. the response properties of certain units in the network closely resemble neurons found in area 7a. The back-propagation procedure requires the use of a teacher. Here we examine the effect of using different kinds of teachers. As long as the teacher represents information about stimulus location in head-centered coordinates, the trained network contains units of the kind found in area 7a. Differences in teacher format only effect the quantitative distribution of the different unit types. When the teacher does not represent stimulus location explicitly, the network does not contain units of the required kind.
Small rural hospitals with long-term care: 1983 to 1987.

: Rural hospitals were under tremendous stress in the 1980s, as evidenced by decreasing use and closures. Rural populations increased in the two proportions of people older than 65 years relative to urban areas. Rural communities had more chronically ill residents than urban areas. Population aging and hospital stress have opened an option for small rural hospitals to develop long-term care units. Analysis of a national cohort of 750 small rural hospitals was undertaken in 1983,1985, and 1987 to identify the characteristics of these hospitals, their communities, and the relative contribution of the small rural hospital to long-term care bed supply. Hospitals more likely to have long-term care during this period of time had lower occupancy rates and higher expenses per admission both prior to and after developing long-term care. While only 14 percent of the 750 hospitals studied had long-term care, they contributed nearly 30 percent of the total long-term care bed supply in their counties. Population-based need and bed supply measures were not significantly different in counties having a small rural hospital with long-term care. Areas of further analysis of the small rural hospital as a resource for long-term care are suggested. The implications for the health care system of small rural hospitals with long-term care are discussed.
Entry Costs and the Supply of Public School Teachers

Abstract This article examines the impact of entry costs on the likelihood that recent college graduates will become public school teachers. I combine Barron's ratings of college selectivity, data on the types of teacher certification programs offered by colleges, and NELS data that track members of the high school class of 1988 into college and into the workforce. Restricting the sample to individuals who were not considering teaching careers when they were high school seniors, I estimate the marginal effect of the availability of undergraduate teacher certification programs on the likelihood that these individuals will become teachers. The results suggest that graduates from highly selective colleges are very sensitive to entry costs related to the number of years of schooling required for certification, while graduates from less selective colleges are not marginally influenced by these costs.
Non-invasive monitoring of hemodynamic changes in orthotropic brain tumor

Radio surgical interventions such as Gamma Knife and Cyberknife have become attractive as therapeutic interventions. However, one of the drawbacks of cyberknife is radionecrosis, which is caused by excessive radiation to surrounding normal tissues. Radionecrosis occurs in about 10-15% of cases and could have adverse effects leading to death. Currently available imaging techniques have failed to reliably distinguish radionecrosis from tumor growth. Development of imaging techniques that could provide distinction between tumor growth and radionecrosis would give us ability to monitor effects of radiation therapy non-invasively. This paper investigates the use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a new technique to monitor the growth of brain tumors. Brain tumors (9L glioma cell line) were implanted in right caudate nucleus of rats (250-300 gms, Male Fisher C) through a guide screw. A new algorithm was developed, which used broadband steady-state reflectance measurements made using a single source-detector pair, to quantify absolute concentrations of hemoglobin derivatives and reduced scattering coefficients. Preliminary results from the brain tumors indicated decreases in oxygen saturation, oxygenated hemoglobin concentrations and increases in deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations with tumor growth. The study demonstrates that NIRS technology could provide an efficient, noninvasive means of monitoring vascular oxygenation dynamics of brain tumors and further facilitate investigations of efficacy of tumor treatments.
Low Cost Automation for Candy Manufacturing: A Case Study

To fulfill a low cost required solution for automation in replacing human labor efforts in a candy factory, this paper focuses on the design and building of a low cost machine. Simplicity was the key requirement of the design. Tray motion is analyzed and different design concepts are brainstormed and evaluated. The final machine prototype was built and tested for its functionality.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Selective IgA deficiency.

Introduction Immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency is the most common primary immunodeficiency defined as decreased serum level of IgA in the presence of normal levels of other immunoglobulin isotypes. Most individuals with IgA deficiency are asymptomatic and identified coincidentally. However, some patients may present with recurrent infections of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, allergic disorders, and autoimmune manifestations.
Global Mittag-Leffler stability and synchronization of impulsive fractional-order neural networks with time-varying delays

In this paper we consider a class of impulsive Caputo fractional-order cellular neural networks with time-varying delays. Applying the fractional Lyapunov method and Mittag-Leffler functions, we give sufficient conditions for global Mittag-Leffler stability which implies global asymptotic stability of the network equilibrium. Our results provide a design method of impulsive control law which globally asymptotically stabilizes the impulse free fractional-order neural network time-delay model. The synchronization of fractional chaotic networks via non-impulsive linear controller is also considered. Illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.
Clinico-Microbiological Aspects of Necrotising Fasciitis in Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

Necrotising fasciitis is insidiously advancing soft tissue infection, characterized by widespread fascial necrosis. One of the most common conditions encountered in the clinical practice and which required clinical suspicion in patients who have less resistance to these infections. Especially in diabetic patients who are more prone for such infection due to low immunity and other reasons like early detection of these infections helps these patients to have a better recovery by aggressive surgical management and other measures required for the same. Literature has enough evidence on how serious this entity. Hence this study is designed in that aspect to help in early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This study will help to determine the clinical presentation, the polymicrobial involved. The organisms most closely linked to necrotizing fasciitis are group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, although the disease may also be caused by other bacteria and their sensitivity patterns will help us to install appropriate antibiotics with the surgical management. And to compare our mortality rate with the other studies. A prospective descriptive study including all type II diabetic patients with necrotizing fasciitis over 3 years. Patients were evaluated in detail with respect to patient’s history, examination, culture sensitivity and chart reviews and followed up using standard evaluation tools to measure the various outcomes. In 62 patients, the commonest clinical presentation was necrotic patch of skin and cellulites. The organisms cultured being beta hemolytic streptococci and E.Coli. The culture sensitivity pattern is to broad-spectrum antibiotics. The average stay in the hospital was about 13.74 days for the study group and the time delay in presentation is 6 days. Wagner’s score is a useful tool for aiding the diagnosis. Patients without foot care had extensive lesions. And a mortality rate of 1.6 % in these patients. In an acutely swollen limb in a diabetic patient a high degree of suspicion of necrotizing fasciitis is required. A detailed foot care is warranted in these patients. An early extensive debridement is mandatory and key for a favorable outcome. And to start on broad- spectrum antibiotics is advisable. Wagner’s scoring is helpful to predict the chances of a second surgery. With the above entities in mind the mortality rate of necrotizing fasciitis in type ii diabetes mellitus can be contained.
Adjuvant Bidirectional Chemotherapy with Intraperitoneal Pemetrexed Combined with Intravenous Cisplatin for Diffuse Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has emerged as optimal treatment for diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) showing median survivals of 36–92 months. However, recurrences occur frequently even in patients undergoing optimal cytreduction and are often confined to the abdomen. We initiated a Phase II study of adjuvant intraperitoneal pemetrexed combined with intravenous cisplatin for patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC for DMPM. The treatment consisted of pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 intraperitoneally and cisplatin 50 mg/m2 intravenously given simultaneously on day 1 of every 21 day cycle for 6 cycles. The primary endpoint of the study was treatment related toxicity. From July 2007 until July 2009 ten patients were enrolled. Nine of 10 completed all 6 cycles of adjuvant treatment per protocol. The most common toxicities were fatigue, nausea and abdominal pain grade 1 or 2. There was one grade 3 toxicity consisting of a catheter infection. The median survival for all 10 patients was 33.5 months. Pharmacokinetic analysis of intraperitoneal pemetrexed showed a peritoneal to plasma area under the curve ratio of 70. Our study shows that adjuvant intravenous cisplatin and intraperitoneal pemetrexed can be used following CRS and HIPEC for DMPM with low morbidity.
Secondary alcohol hemiacetal formation: an in situ carbonyl activation strategy.

A simple strategy was studied for the reversible nucleophilic addition of secondary alcohols to carbonyl-based receptors to form hemiacetals. It involves the in situ binding of neighboring Bronsted and Lewis acids activators. The addition reaction was successfully observed by UV−vis spectroscopy, thereby laying the groundwork for alcohol optical sensor design.
Molecular genetic improvement of cereals: transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Only modest progress has been made in the molecular genetic improvement of wheat following the production of the first transgenic plants in 1992, made possible by the development of efficient, long-term regenerable embryogenic cultures derived from immature embryos and use of the biolistics method for the direct delivery of DNA into regenerable cells. Transgenic lines expressing genes that confer resistance to environmentally friendly non-selective herbicides, and pests and pathogens have been produced, in addition to lines with improved bread-making and nutritional qualities; some of these are ready for commercial production. Reduction of losses caused by weeds, pests and pathogens in such plants not only indirectly increases available arable land and fresh water supplies, but also conserves energy and natural resources. Nevertheless, the work carried out thus far can be considered only the beginning, as many difficult tasks lie ahead and much remains to be done. The challenge now is to produce higher-yielding varieties that are more nutritious, and are resistant or tolerant to a wide variety of biotic as well as abiotic stresses (especially drought, salinity, heavy metal toxicity) that currently cause substantial losses in productivity. How well we will meet this challenge for wheat, and indeed for other cereal and non-cereal crops, will depend largely on establishing collaborative partnerships between breeders, molecular biologists, biotechnologists and industry, and on how effectively they make use of the knowledge and insights gained from basic studies in plant biology and genetics, the sequencing of plant/cereal genomes, the discovery of synteny in cereals, and the availability of DNA-based markers and increasingly detailed chromosomal maps.
Independent expression of cardiac type I and II cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase during murine embryogenesis and postnatal development.

Abstract The amount of total cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and of the protein kinase isozymes present in mouse heart changes during development. During embryogenesis, the total cardiac protein kinase activity increases most markedly during the 6 days prior to birth. A maximum kinase level is achieved in the 7 day-old neonate, and then activity progressively declines to an adult level approximating that of the mid-embryo. The type II kinase exhibits a moderate increase during late embryogenesis which declines by the time of birth. The type I isozyme increases throughout embryogenesis and the first neonatal week to a maximum specific activity five-fold higher than the mid-embryogenesis level. The isozyme level then falls to an adult activity similar to the mid-embryonic. These changes in isozyme profile are reflected in a changing type I to type II kinase ratio of 1.1 at 13–14 days embryogenesis, 2.4 at birth, 3.0 in the 7 day-old neonates, and 1 in the adult heart. Thus, the two protein kinase isozymes change in association with the developmental process in an independent fashion.
Stability of bare Po210 sources

Abstract Loss of Po 210 activity from bare, polonium metal sources is expected from both evaporation and knockout of surface atoms. Knockout by recoil Pb 206 atoms is much greater than knockout by α-particles. Evaporation exceeds knockout at moderate surface temperatures and so forced cooling of even small sources is necessary to minimize loss of polonium. The theory of both mechanisms and the buildup of activity outside a source in vacuum are discussed.
Federal Deficits, Debt and Interest Costs

Current federal government deficits are of a size unprecedented since World War II. While budget surpluses have been infrequent, deficits before 1982 were small enough that the federal debt shrunk in relation to the size of the economy. Now, however, the federal deficit is stuck at about 5 percent of gross national product, and the ratio of federal debt to gross national product (GNP) is growing rapidly. These large deficits are driving up interest rates, hurting American exports, turning the United States into a debtor nation, and causing government interest outlays to spiral. The possibilities are limited for lowering interest costs through directly reducing interest rates or introducing new Treasury debt management strategies. The only way to cage the interest monster is to enact a substantial package of tax increases and cuts in noninterest spending. We list some possible elements of such a package and show how they might be combined to tame the growth of debt.
Interpreting the Last Supper: Sacrifice, Spiritualization, and Anti-Sacrifice

Some scholars view the Last Supper as a symbolic action, one that articulates a rejection of the Jewish temple. This essay presents an alternative approach. The Last Supper traditions are more subtle than is generally recognized. Also, a good deal of evidence demonstrates that the temple remained an important institution in early Christian practice and thought. Therefore it is necessary to drop the problematic practice of describing sacrificial metaphors as ‘spiritualizations’ of the cult. Rather, we should place the sacrificial metaphors of the Last Supper tradition within the broader ancient Jewish effort to channel the temple's sanctity into various non-sacrificial practices, such as eating and praying.
Design considerations for electrostatic microvalves with applications in poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based microfluidics

Microvalves are critical in the operation of integrated microfluidic chips for a wide range of applications. In this paper, we present an analytical model to guide the design of electrostatic microvalves that can be integrated into microfluidic chips using standard fabrication processes and can reliably operate at low actuation potentials (<250 V). Based on the analytical model, we identify design guidelines and operational considerations for elastomeric electrostatic microvalves and formulate strategies to minimize their actuation potentials, while maintaining the feasibility of fabrication and integration. We specifically explore the application of the model to design microfluidic microvalves fabricated in poly(dimethylsiloxane), using only soft-lithographic techniques. We discuss the electrostatic actuation in terms of several microscale phenomena, including squeeze-film damping and adhesion-driven microvalve collapse. The actuation potentials predicted by the model are in good agreement with experimental data obtained with a microfabricated array of electrostatic microvalves actuated in air and oil. The model can also be extended to the design of peristaltic pumps for microfluidics and to the prediction of actuation potentials of microvalves in viscous liquid environments. Additionally, due to the compact ancillaries required to generate low potentials, these electrostatic microvalves can potentially be used in portable microfluidic chips.
Detection of Ralstonia solanacearum in natural substrates using phage amplification integrated with real-time PCR assay.

Abstract A sensitive, selective, and rapid protocol for detecting Ralstonia solanacearum from soil and plant tissues was developed based on the integration of the rapid self-replicating ability of bacteriophages with quantitative PCR (q-PCR). Six bacteriophages were isolated and selected for their ability to specifically infect and lyse R. solanacearum. Sixty-three strains of R. solanacearum and 72 isolates of other bacterial species were tested for their susceptibility to the bacteriophages. Based on the large host range and observed replication speed and reproductive burst sizes in ginger infecting R. solanacearum strain GW-1, phage M_DS1 was selected for the development of the phage-based indirect assay. With primers based on the phage genome, the protocol was used to detect R. solanacearum from a number of substrates. In pure R. solanacearum cultures, the protocol consistently detected approximately 3.3 CFU/ml after an hour's incubation with 5.3 × 102 PFU/ml M_DS1. We used the protocol to confirm the presence of the pathogen in infected potted ginger plants, detecting levels near 102 CFU/g in 0.1 g of leaf tissue and levels near 103 CFU/ml in drainage water from the pots. In soils emended with the bacteria, we observed detection limits down to approximately 102 CFU/g.
Blocking ahead of a cylinder moving in a stratified fluid: An experiment

Abstract The flow field ahead of a cylinder moving in a salt stratified fluid consists of a large region of recirculating flow adjoining the cylinder, and a wake-like region extending farther upstream. The measured length of the recirculation region agrees with the theoretical results of Graebel (1969), if allowance is made for the influence of the tank end wall. Diffusion of salinity is noticeable in the recirculation region.
Transnasal oesophagoscopy-guided in-office secondary tracheoesophageal puncture.

Objective: Tracheoesophageal puncture is recognised as an effective and reliable method for voice restoration following total laryngectomy. Several techniques have been described, ranging from rigid oesophagoscopy under general anaesthesia to more recent endoscopic techniques utilising intravenous sedation or local anaesthetic. We describe our technique for secondary tracheoesophageal puncture utilising unsedated transnasal oesophagoscopy in an office setting. Method: Retrospective review of all total laryngectomy patients undergoing in-office transnasal oesophagoscopy-assisted tracheoesophageal puncture between October 1 2004 and December 31 2006. Results: Eleven patients undergoing transnasal oesophagoscopy-guided tracheoesophageal puncture were identified. Successful tracheoesophageal puncture placement was achieved in 10 of 11 patients (91 per cent). In one patient tracheoesophageal puncture could not be performed due to anatomic constraints. One patient had bleeding from the puncture site requiring silver nitrate cautery. All patients tolerated the procedure well. Voice results were satisfactory in all cases. Conclusions: Transnasal oesophagoscopy-guided tracheoesophageal puncture provides a simple, safe option for secondary voice rehabilitation in laryngectomy patients.
Jet Alignment in a Two-Layer Quasigeostrophic Channel Using One-Dimensional Grid Warping

Because of position errors traditional methods of data assimilation can broaden and weaken jets or other flow structures leading to reduced forecast skill. Here a technique to assimilate properties of coherent structures is developed and tested. Focusing on jets, the technique identifies jets in both the modeled and observed fields and warps the model grid so that the jet positions are better aligned prior to further assimilation of observations. The technique is tested using optimal interpolation on the flow in a two-layer quasigeostrophic channel. The results show that a simple and fast jet position correction algorithm can significantly improve the skill of a 12-h forecast. Furthermore, the results indicate that this method of position correction maintains its utility when observations become sparse.
Non-specific reversal by vitamins of inhibition of ethanol oxidation by antabuse (tetraethylthiuramdisulfide) in the rat.

SummaryIn TTD-treated rats certain vitamins are capable of reversing the inhibition of TTD on alcohol oxidation at the ace-taldehyde level when injected prior to ethanol administration. The effect of two 20 mg doses of TTD can be reversed by 20 but not by 2 mg of the vitamins. Chemicals like propylene glycol, and cystine did not produce reversal. Injection of nicotinamide into TTD-treated rats after ethanol does not relieve or reverse the toxic symptoms. There is damage to the liver of the TTD-treated rats after 21 days, as shown by its impaired ability to transfer hydrogen anaerobically to methylene blue using succinate, citrate and ethanol as substrates. The damage is thought to be produced through the affinity of TTD for the sulfhydryl sites of the enzymes.
Cutting Edge: NADPH Oxidase Modulates MHC Class II Antigen Presentation by B Cells

Phagocyte NADPH oxidase plays a key role in pathogen clearance via reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Defects in oxidase function result in chronic granulomatous disease with hallmark recurrent microbial infections and inflammation. The oxidase’s role in the adaptive immune response is not well understood. Class II presentation of cytoplasmic and exogenous Ag to CD4 + T cells was impaired in human B cells with reduced oxidase p40 phox subunit expression. Naturally arising mutations, which compromise p40 phox function in a chronic granulomatous disease patient, also perturbed class II Ag presentation and intracellular ROS production. Reconstitution of patient B cells with a wild-type, but not a mutant, p40 phox allele restored exogenous Ag presentation and intracellular ROS generation. Remarkably, class II presentation of epitopes from membrane Ag was robust in p40 phox -deficient B cells. These studies reveal a role for NADPH oxidase and p40 phox in skewing epitope selection and T cell recognition of self Ag.
The Organization and Evolution of the Spinach Stress 70 Molecular Chaperone Gene Family

The stress 70 molecular chaperones of plants are localized and function in all of the major subcellular compartments of the cell. Collectively, all of the various forms are encoded by a multigene family in the nucleus. At least 12 members of this family have been found, and sequence and DNA blot analyses provide an emerging description of the diversity of gene structure organization for this family of evolutionarily conserved proteins in spinach. They exhibit not only structural diversity in the organization of coding and noncoding regions but also distinct expression patterns for different tissues and abiotic conditions. The results of phylogenetic analyses are concordant with at least four major evolutionary events that gave rise to stress 70 molecular chaperones in each of four major subcellular compartments of plant cells: the plastid, mitochondrion, cytoplasm, and endoplasmic reticulum. The varied expression patterns also illustrate the complexity of effectively interpreting the role of any one of these stress-related proteins in response to abiotic stress in the absence of context to the other members of the family.
Axial compressor blade-to-blade unsteady aerodynamic variability

Experiments investigate axial compressor unsteady aerodynamics generated by the interaction of rotor blades with the wakes from inlet guide vanes (IGVs). The variability of the unsteady velocity and the corresponding unsteady aerodynamic rotor blade response are determined. The percentage of IGV wakes similar to the grand average wake is calculated in and out of wake-affected regions. Also, the probability distributions of wake characteristics are made, and the correlation between the forcing function and the response variability calculated. Signie cant blade-to-blade variability is found, with less than 50% of the wakes similar to the grand average percentage. The energy in the unsteadiness varies by as much as 100%. A strong correlation between the transverse velocity and theresulting unsteady aerodynamicresponseis found. However, the correlation weakens at lower e ow coefe cients due to stall on the suction surface of the IGV.
Conceptual Integration and Formal Expression

We pursue here our exploration of conceptual blending and of the "many-space" model, which replaces the standard "two-domain" model. In blending, structure from two or more input mental spaces is projected to a separate "blended" space, which inherits partial structure from the inputs, and has emergent structure of its own. New examples are presented. We show that meaning is not compositional in the usual sense, and that blending operates to produce understandings of composite forms. Formal expression in language is a way of prompting hearer and reader to assemble and develop conceptual constructions, including blends; there is no encoding of concepts into words or decoding of words into concepts. Blending is at work in many areas of cognition and action, including metaphor, counterfactuals, and conceptual change. We point out two fundamental aspects of this general process: cross-space mapping of counterparts, and integration of events.
Exact field decomposition for TM waves in nonlinear media.

We show that the electric field components Ex and Ez of a transverse magnetic (TM) wave propagating in a nonlinear medium can be formally decomposed through a conservation law, provided that ∂∊xx/∂Ez2 = ∂∊zz/∂Ex2. If this condition is satisfied, then the electromagnetic field distribution can be exactly obtained by quadrature. For the case of a guided nonlinear TM mode, our procedure can be employed to establish the eigenvalue equation directly.
New Focus on Behavioral and Psychological Signs and Symptoms of Dementia

The conceptualization of an international consensus conference for the purpose of beginning to establish an operational definition for “behavioral disturbances of dementia” was born at the 7th International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) Congress in Sydney, Australia, in November 1995. At that time, a special symposium on “research methodological issues in evaluating behavioral disorders of dementia” took place. From the high level of interest and attendance, it was clear that this matter was a source of great attention and concern by clinicians and researchers working with demented elderly. Although we have been aware that patients with dementias, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), manifest psychotic, depressive, and behavioral symptoms over the course of the illness, such symptoms until recently have elicited little interest or research support. Further, research was hampered by the absence of viable measurements and scales developed for this specific population. In addition, rigorous clinical trials were rare and virtually nonexistent in those with moderate and advanced dementias. Prior to 1992, only seven randomly assigned, double-blind trials in this population had been published, only one in a nursing home setting.
Influencing Massive Multi-agent Systems via Viral Trait Spreading

This paper describes a method by which a massive multi-agent system can be influenced without resorting to micromanagement. This method could be utilized in the development of meta-reasoning components of individual agents. Agents in the system adopt the traits of their successful peers. The administrator guides this spread of traits through selectively injecting influential agents with modified traits. These key agents are identified via social network analysis techniques. Experimentation is described in which the system is tested for its ability to automatically adopt an acceptable configuration as well as testing the ease in which the administrator is able to guide the system to a better configuration.
Qigong exercise may improve sleep quality and gait performance in Parkinson's disease: a pilot study.

Purpose: Parkinson's disease (PD) involves a variety of motor and non-motor symptoms, several of which, including gait abnormalities and sleep disorders, are generally not adequately managed with standard therapy. This study aimed to determine the impact of Qigong as a potential complementary therapy in the management of gait and sleep-related symptoms in PD. Methods: Seven subjects (aged 66.9 ± 8.1 years) with PD participated in a six-week Qigong exercise intervention. Pre- and post-intervention testing was performed to assess sleep quality, cognitive function, fatigue, quality of life, gait performance (stride time, stride length, double support time, and velocity), and gait variability (stride time and length variability). Results: Following Qigong, subjects showed improvement in some aspects of sleep quality. Fatigue remained unchanged. Gait function was improved by a significant reduction of stride time and a slight increase in stride length. Together these changes resulted in significant improvement...
Evaluation of Lithium iron phosphate batteries for electric vehicles application

160 Ah LiFePO 4 prismatic cells were tested for capacity, cycle life and realistic road test evaluation for the application of electric vehicle. The testing was done to compare the performance of LiFePO 4 cells to LiCoO2 cells that were previously shown to be not suitable for use in EVs. The testing was done in the Battery Evaluation Lab at UMass, Lowell (Massachusetts), which is briefly described. A brief explanation of the various types of Lithium based secondary cells is given as background. Cycle tests and capacity measurements were done on eight cells over the course of 50 full cycles lasting several weeks. Cycles were to 100% Depth of Discharge (DOD) at 20°C. The capacity tests showed that the cells had a full 160 Ah capacity and the cycle tests showed that the cells had still had full capacity after 50 cycles. There was no degradation of terminal voltage during discharge and no heating effect. The realistic road test consisted of subjecting two sample cells to the currents that are required in an actual road trip in an EV. The profile of the realistic road test is described. The road test profile was done on both cells four times at each of four ambient temperatures: −20°C, 0°C, +20°C and +40°C. The resulting conclusion is that the LiFePO 4 cells are superior to the previously tested LiCoO 2 cells for use in EVs and are recommended for future designs.
FLUORIDE CONCENTRATION IN COASTAL AND ESTUARINE WATERS OF GEORGIA

More than 150 coastal and estuarine water samples and 48 samples OF interstitial water from salt marsh sediments were analyzed for fluoride using a specific-ion electrode method. Surface waters show that fluoride : chlorinity ratios do not attain normal ocean values until a chlorinity of lO-ll%, is reached. Interstitial waters are enriched in fluoride relative to surface waters of the same chlorinity. A mechanism for enrichment involving uptake by salt marsh plants, with subsequent release in the sediments due to bacteriological breakdown, is proposed.
A climate-change adaptation framework to reduce continental-scale vulnerability across conservation reserves

Rapid climate change, in conjunction with other anthropogenic drivers, has the potential to cause mass species extinction. To minimize this risk, conservation reserves need to be coordinated at multiple spatial scales because the climate envelopes of many species may shift rapidly across large geographic areas. In addition, novel species assemblages and ecological reorganization make future conditions uncertain. We used a GIS analysis to assess the vulnerability of 501 reserve units in the National Wildlife Refuge System as a basis for a nationally coordinated response to climate change adaptation. We used measures of climate change exposure (historic rate of temperature change), sensitivity (biome edge and critical habitat for threatened and endangered species), and adaptive capacity (elevation range, latitude range, watershed road density, and watershed protection) to evaluate refuge vulnerability. The vulnerability of individual refuges varied spatially within and among biomes. We suggest that the spat...
Sex differences in expression and subcellular localization of heart rhythm determinant proteins

To evaluate sex differences in protein expression in the heart, we performed Western blot studies on a subset of Heart Rhythm Determinant (HRD) proteins. We examined key components of a variety of types of mechanical and electrical junctions including, connexin43, plakophilin-2, N-cadherin and plakoglobin, ankyrin-2 and actin. We describe novel findings in sex differences in cardiac protein expression and membrane localization. For most proteins examined, sex differences were significantly more pronounced in the membrane compartment than in overall expression. These studies extend our previous findings in microarray studies to demonstrate that sex differences in gene expression are likely to confer distinct functional properties on male and female myocardium.
Commitment, Loyalty And Customer Lifetime Value: Investigating The Relationships Among Key Determinants

Using the theoretical underpinnings of relationship marketing, this study examined the relationships among various constructs relating to the management of a firm’s customers. In particular, the study investigated the multidimensional constructs of commitment and loyalty and the effect of a loyalty program on these dimensions. The study explored the relative impacts of affective and continuance commitment on these two dimensions of loyalty in a business-to-business context for a pharmaceutical distribution company.Reseasrchers have argued that affective commitment, being predicated on free choice and emotional attachment, should result in more enduring relationships compared to continuance commitment, which is based on economic benefits and the lack of viable alternatives that raise the exit barriers. The value of continuance commitment remains unclear as it is argued that continuance commitment can both enhance, as well as undermine, marketing relationships. Researchers have also argued that loyalty programs are likely to be more successful if they include, in their design, a greater emphasis on building emotional ties than promoting economic benefits. A self-administered survey was employed among 151 customers of a pharmaceutical distribution company and the results analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with Partial Least Square (PLS-Graph 3.0 Build 1130) for inferential analysis and SPSS version 16.0 for descriptive analyses. The results supported the theorized view that affective commitment has a greater impact on loyalty than does calculative commitment. The results, however, did not support the theorized positions of a significant impact of calculative commitment on loyalty, and there was also no empirical evidence that a loyalty program impacts commitment or customer lifetime value. The managerial and research implications of the study are also presented.