cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation by concanavalin A of the hormonal response in DNA-synthetic and transcriptional activity of a mouse mammary adenocarcinoma culture.

Abstract 1. 1. The tissue responds in culture differently to each of the tested hormones. Insulin, but not prolactin or hydrocortisone, was mitogenic to the culture, but did not alter the overall transcriptional activity pattern displayed by the insulin-free cultures. 2. 2. Prolactin stimulated transcriptional activity above control levels between days 2 and 6 of culture, but hydrocortisone was inhibitory to both DNA-synthetic and transcriptional activity of the culture. 3. 3. Upon initial 24-hr treatment with 50 μg/ml monovalent concanavalin A, the tissue altered its hormonal sensitivity in the examined activities, but the presence of any one of the hormones in the culture medium abolished the individual effect of concanavalin A. 4. 4. With hydrocortisone, however, the individual effects of the lectin and the hormone interacted in cultures treated with both compounds, suggesting a type of intracellular communication with the membrane, operative in this mammary cell line, that may involve channels of biochemical changes energized by a hydrocortisone stimulus.
Low Frequency Noise Contamination in Fan Model Testing

Aircraft engine noise research and development depends on the ability to study and predict the noise created by each engine component in isolation. The presence of a downstream pylon for a model fan test, however, may result in noise contamination through pylon interactions with the free stream and model exhaust airflows. Additionally, there is the problem of separating the fan and jet noise components generated by the model fan. A methodology was therefore developed to improve the data quality for the 9 15 Low Speed Wind Tunnel (LSWT) at the NASA Glenn Research Center that identifies three noise sources: fan noise, jet noise, and rig noise. The jet noise and rig noise were then measured by mounting a scale model of the 9 15 LSWT model fan installation in a jet rig to simulate everything except the rotating machinery and in duct components of fan noise. The data showed that the spectra measured in the LSWT has a strong rig noise component at frequencies as high as 3 kHz depending on the fan and airflow fan exit velocity. The jet noise was determined to be significantly lower than the rig noise (i.e., noise generated by flow interaction with the downstream support pylon). A mathematical model for the rig noise was then developed using a multi-dimensional least squares fit to the rig noise data. This allows the rig noise to be subtracted or removed, depending on the amplitude of the rig noise relative to the fan noise, at any given frequency, observer angle, or nozzle pressure ratio. The impact of isolating the fan noise with this method on spectra, overall power level (OAPWL), and Effective Perceived Noise Level (EPNL) is studied.
Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization and Angiogenesis: The Potential for Therapeutic Benefit

Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR) has emerged as a promising therapy for ischemic heart disease in patients who are not candidates for more conventional therapies such as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting. Although TIVIR provides symptomatic relief of angina and improved cardiovascular performance in a select patient population, the mechanism by which TMR works is still a controversial issue. Recently, it has been postulated that TMR evokes an angiogenic response and thereby improves local perfusion to ischemic myocardial territories. Herein we present a review of TMR and the molecular basis of angiogenesis.
Cave levels and cave development in the mitchell plain following base-level lowering

Multiple levels evolved in Buddha–Christian's Cave and in Donaldson's–Bronson's–Twin Cave in a subtly different manner to that normally associated with the development of multilevel caves adjacent to entrenched river valleys. It is often assumed that lower cave levels are generated by successive phases of valley entrenchment; however, multiple levels may also be induced by progressive adjustments in groundwater flow paths. Such adjustments occur as the effects of a change in base level propagate up-basin. In the Mitchell Plain much of the late Pleistocene drop in the elevation of the principal drainage (the East Fork of the White River) was accommodated by entrenchment along the lower reaches of tributary valleys. Caves initially developed in the mid-sections of tributary basins at relatively shallow depths. In the vicinity of the cave exit, the piezometric surface gradually steepened and was eventually lowered through a combination of valley headwall retreat and the incremental concentration of flow through master conduits. Upper-level passages were abandoned once the original high-level flow paths were replaced by lower-level routes.
Mild traumatic brain injury in the mouse induces axotomy primarily within the axon initial segment

Traumatic axonal injury (TAI) is a consistent component of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and is associated with much of its morbidity. Increasingly, it has also been recognized as a major pathology of mild TBI (mTBI). In terms of its pathogenesis, numerous studies have investigated the susceptibility of the nodes of Ranvier, the paranode and internodal regions to TAI. The nodes of Ranvier, with their unique composition and concentration of ion channels, have been suggested as the primary site of injury, initiating a cascade of abnormalities in the related paranodal and internodal domains that lead to local axonal swellings and detachment. No investigation, however, has determined the effect of TAI upon the axon initial segment (AIS), a segment critical to regulating polarity and excitability. The current study sought to identify the susceptibility of these different axon domains to TAI within the neocortex, where each axonal domain could be simultaneously assessed. Utilizing a mouse model of mTBI, a temporal and spatial heterogeneity of axonal injury was found within the neocortical gray matter. Although axonal swellings were found in all domains along myelinated neocortical axons, the majority of TAI occurred within the AIS, which progressed without overt structural disruption of the AIS itself. The finding of primary AIS involvement has important implications regarding neuronal polarity and the fate of axotomized processes, while also raising therapeutic implications, as the mechanisms underlying such axonal injury in the AIS may be distinct from those described for nodal/paranodal injury.
Multiple therapies for vaginal bleeding secondary to large uterine myomas

Acute vaginal bleeding secondary to uterine myomas can be a devastating event. We report the use of a combined therapeutic approach in a patient who presented with protracted bleeding of a myomatous uterus that was equivalent in size to a 38 week gestation. This patient's course was further complicated by her refusal of blood or blood products.
Three-dimensional discontinuous Galerkin elements with plane waves and Lagrange multipliers for the solution of mid-frequency Helmholtz problems

Recently, a discontinuous Galerkin finite element method with plane wave basis functions and Lagrange multiplier degrees of freedom was proposed for the efficient solution in two dimensions of Helmholtz problems in the mid-frequency regime. In this paper, this method is extended to three dimensions and several new elements are proposed. Computational results obtained for several wave guide and acoustic scattering model problems demonstrate one to two orders of magnitude solution time improvement over the higher-order Galerkin method.
Characterization of Human Proximal Tubular Cells after Hypoxic Preconditioning: Constitutive and Hypoxia-Induced Expression of Heat Shock Proteins HSP70 (A, B, and C), HSC70, and HSP90

In animal models of cardiac or cerebral ischemic preconditioning, induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs), especially HSP70, correlates with protection from subsequent injury. The extent of HSP70 induction after stress correlates inversely with initial HSP70 levels. Primate cells, unlike nonprimate cells, express high basal levels of HSP70; thus, primate cells may respond differently to preconditioning than nonprimate cells. We have demonstrated that exposing cultured human proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) to 12 h of hypoxia followed by a 24-h recovery period (hypoxic preconditioning) induces resistance to subsequent hypoxic injury. Herein, we characterize the expression of HSP70, HSP90, and heat shock cognate-70 (HSC70) in PTEC under basal conditions and after hypoxic preconditioning. By Northern blot analysis, we demonstrate that hypoxic preconditioning of PTEC increases mRNA for HSP70 > HSP90 > HSC70. With reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction, mRNA transcripts from three different HSP70 genes (HSP70 A, B, and C) were detected in unstressed PTEC. Transcripts from these genes were also detected in freshly isolated human renal cortex, indicating that all three genes are expressed in vivo. By Western blot analysis, we demonstrate that PTEC express high basal levels of HSP70, HSC70, and HSP90. Hypoxic preconditioning did not lead to a significant increase in protein content of any of these HSPs, despite increased mRNA levels. This suggests that HSP accumulation cannot account for the development of cytoresistance after hypoxic preconditioning in PTEC. However, high basal expression of HSP70 in human PTEC may contribute to their innate resistance for hypoxia.
Morphometric spectral-domain optical coherence tomography features of epiretinal membrane correlate with visual acuity in patients with uveitis.

Purpose To identify visually significant spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) features of epiretinal membranes (ERM) in patients with uveitis. Design Retrospective cohort and cross-sectional study. Methods Eighty consecutive eyes with uveitis and SD-OCT–documented ERM were included. Clinical data were collected at the time of diagnosis of ERM and at the final visit. SD-OCT images at the last visit were evaluated to identify fovea and ERM configuration and structural changes. Changes of 10% and 20% in central subfield thickness between initial and last SD-OCT were calculated and correlated with visual acuity (VA). An ERM thickness map was created using validated SD-OCT grading software. Results VA improved significantly in eyes with more than 12 months of follow-up ( P = .03). Although inflammation activity and medical treatment methods were no different in eyes with more or less than 12 months of follow-up, 16 eyes in the subset with longer follow-up underwent cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated few vision losses during the follow-up period. Change in central subfield thickness did not correlate with VA. Foveal center involvement ( P P = .003), and foveal inner segment and outer segment junction disruption ( P = .006) were associated independently with lower VA. ERM was thinner in eyes with 20/40 or better VA (4.6 ± 0.6 μm) compared with eyes with VA of less than 20/200 ( P = .02). Longer duration of ERM was associated with thicker ERM ( P Conclusions In most eyes with uveitis and ERM, VA remains stable if ocular inflammation and comorbidities are addressed appropriately.
Correlational and spectral techniques in modern communication and control systems

The needs of the space age have imposed a severe burden on information-gathering media, forcing a new approach to communication and control systems design. These systems are now tailored for system-to-signal compatibility and must reject unwanted statistical signals that enter as unavoidable disturbances. For this purpose the general and/or special purpose computer is an indispensable tool Communication and automatic controls, two disciplines which have matured quite rapidly during the last two decades, have acquired enough importance by now to initiate a true revolution in applied science and the associated industrial activities. The commencement of the space age is a most dramatic proof of their importance. Neither satellite orbiting nor space probing is imaginable without controls of high accuracies for the keeping of vehicles on predesigned trajectories, or without communication links of comparable efficiencies for endowing the vehicles with a scientific or other purpose.
TGF-β stimulates primary human skin fibroblast DNA synthesis via an autocrine production of PDGF-related peptides

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) stimulates DNA synthesis in human foreskin fibroblasts after a prolonged lag period as compared with other growth factors. The mechanism of induction of DNA synthesis appears to be dependent on the synthesis and secretion of PDGF-related proteins as antibodies which are specific for PDGF can block the TGF-β-induced DNA synthesis. Other growth factors such as PDGF, EGF, or FGF do not induce the synthesis of these PDGF-related proteins. Additionally, TGF-β treatment of human foreskin fibroblasts induces the expression of the PDGF A-chain gene but not the B-chain gene. This phenomenon appears to function in vivo, as subcutaneous injection of TGF-β in rat skin induces the expression of the PDGF A-chain gene. These data suggest that TGF-β may stimulate the growth of fibroblastic cells via an autocrine production of PDGF-related proteins.
Cortical cholinergic fibers in aging and Alzheimer's disease: a morphometric study.

Abstract A histochemical method for acetylcholinesterase was used to assess the regional density of acetylcholinesterase-rich (putatively cholinergic) axons in the cerebral cortex. A dense plexus of these fibers was observed in all cortical areas. The entorhinal, cingulate and inferotemporal regions were used for quantitative analysis. The paralimbic cortical areas (entorhinal and cingulate) contained a higher density of acetylcholinesterase-rich fibers than the association cortex of inferotemporal area TE. The more superficial layers in all three regions contained a denser net of these fibers than did the deep layers. Aging was accompanied by a modest loss in the density of acetylcholinesterase-positive fibers in the entorhinal and inferotemporal cortex but not in the cingulate area. In brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease, a dramatic loss of these fibers was observed in all three areas examined but the loss was relatively less pronounced in the cingulate area. The results demonstrate that the cholinergic innervation of the cerebral cortex in the human brain displays considerable regional and laminar variations. Regional variations were also observed in the alterations that the cortical cholinergic fibers displayed as a result of normal aging and Alzheimer's disease. The age-related reduction observed in the density of cholinergic fibers in the cerebral cortex was quite modest when compared with the dramatic loss in Alzheimer's disease.
The impact of truck arrival information on container terminal rehandling

This paper uses simulation to evaluate the use of truck arrival information to reduce container rehandles during the import container retrieval process by improving terminal operations. A variety of scenarios with different levels of truck information and various container bay configurations are modeled to explore how the information quality and bay configuration affect the magnitude of benefit. The results demonstrate that a complete arrival sequence is not required to substantially reduce rehandles, significant benefit can be obtained under small amounts of information, the benefits grow with the bay size, and that updating information in real time significantly lowers information requirements.
A New Dual-Input Describing Function and an Application to the Stability of Forced Nonlinear Systems

A new general DIDF (dual input describing function) has been analytically derived for single-valued nonlinearities subjected to two arbitrary noncommensurate sine waves. The development corroborates a previous approximate development for two sine waves widely separated in frequency. The new DIDF is applied to the problem of the stability of nonlinear systems subjected to sinusoidal forcing. It is shown that the conventional DF (describing function) cannot be used for nonautonomous systems without additional safeguards. After it has been shown by the DIDF that no auto-oscillations exist for given input conditions it is proper to employ the conventional DF in any of the methods suggested in the literature to obtain the closed-loop frequency response under those conditions.
From Left Ventricular Hypertrophy to Congestive Heart Failure: Management of Hypertensive Heart Disease

Other than age, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the most potent predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the hypertensive population, and is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease, sudden death, heart failure and stroke. Although directly related to systolic blood pressure, other factors including age, sex, race, body mass index and stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems play an important role in the pathogenesis of LVH. LVH involves changes in myocardial tissue architecture consisting of perivacular and myocardial fibrosis and medial thickening of intramyocardial coronary arteries, in addition to myoctye hypertrophy. The physiologic alterations which occur as a result of these anatomical changes include disturbances of myocardial blood flow, the development of an arrhythmogenic myocardial substrate and diastolic dysfunction. The latter is directly related to the degree of myocardial fibrosis and is the hemodynamic hallmark of hypertensive heart disease. When diastolic dysfunction is present, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure increases out-of-proportion to volume and may be elevated at rest or with exertion leading to clinical heart failure. At least one third of heart failure patients in the United States can be considered to have heart failure related to diastolic dysfunction. Compared to heart failure patients with systolic dysfunction, diastolic heart failure patients are more likely to be older, female, and to be hypertensive at the time of presentation. Although it has been assumed that LVH may lead to systolic dysfunction, evidence is lacking that LVH resulting from hypertension is a major risk factor for systolic heart failure independent of coronary artery disease. Treatment of hypertension greatly attenuates the development of LVH and significantly decreases the incidence of heart failure. In patients with established LVH, regression is both possible and desirable and results in a significant reduction in adverse clinical endpoints.
A Partnership that Empowers Community Hospitals To Succeed: Duke Infection Control Outreach

Abstract ISSUE: Many community hospitals struggle to meet infection control (IC) standards without the guidance of an infectious disease physician or an experienced infection control practitioner (ICP). In many community hospitals, nurses assume the role of ICP without proper training and physician support, and/or infection control is an assigned duty for personnel with other responsibilities. PROJECT: Duke Infection Control Outreach (DICON) was formed to provide assistance to community hospital IC programs. DICON provides 24 affiliated community hospitals regular and easy access to infectious disease physicians trained and experienced in hospital epidemiology. Via regular visits by liaison ICPs, DICON shares established policies and educational programs and assists in the analysis and interpretation of local surveillance data. Personnel from DICON help standardize surveillance activities and provide graphic comparisons between local data and data from other affiliated community hospitals. RESULTS: During a 3-year period, hospitals in the DICON system collectively experienced a 5% reduction in healthcare-associated bloodstream infections, a 33% reduction in methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections, and a 27% reduction in Foley-associated urinary tract infections. ICPs working in DICON-affiliated community hospitals performed their jobs more efficiently and with more satisfaction. To date, all DICON-affiliated hospitals successfully passed JCAHO surveys. Partnership with DICON allowed ICPs in affiliated hospitals to become infection control experts within their facilities and a better resource to others. LESSONS LEARNED: Networking with DICON allowed ICPs in affiliated community hospitals to work smarter not harder. DICON facilitated the collection of more meaningful surveillance data, helped promote better practices, and increased the job satisfaction and performance of ICPs.
Combined Monte Carlo and path-integral method for simulated library of time-resolved reflectance curves from layered tissue models

Monte Carlo (MC) simulations are considered the "gold standard" for mathematical description of photon transport in tissue, but they can require large computation times. Therefore, it is important to develop simple and efficient methods for accelerating MC simulations, especially when a large "library" of related simulations is needed. A semi-analytical method involving MC simulations and a path-integral (PI) based scaling technique generated time-resolved reflectance curves from layered tissue models. First, a zero-absorption MC simulation was run for a tissue model with fixed scattering properties in each layer. Then, a closed-form expression for the average classical path of a photon in tissue was used to determine the percentage of time that the photon spent in each layer, to create a weighted Beer-Lambert factor to scale the time-resolved reflectance of the simulated zero-absorption tissue model. This method is a unique alternative to other scaling techniques in that it does not require the path length or number of collisions of each photon to be stored during the initial simulation. Effects of various layer thicknesses and absorption and scattering coefficients on the accuracy of the method will be discussed.
When urothelial differentiation pathways go wrong: Implications for bladder cancer development and progression

Differentiation is defined as the ability of a cell to acquire full functional behavior. For instance, the function of bladder urothelium is to act as a barrier to the diffusion of solutes into or out of the urine after excretion by the kidney. The urothelium also serves to protect the detrusor muscle from toxins present in stored urine. A major event in the initiation and progression of bladder cancer is loss of urothelial differentiation. This is important because less differentiated urothelial tumors (higher histologic tumor grade) are typically associated with increased biologic and clinical aggressiveness. The differentiation status of urothelial carcinomas can be assessed by histopathologic examination and is reflected in the assignment of a histologic grade (low-grade or high-grade). Although typically limited to morphologic evaluation in most routine diagnostic practices, tumor grade can also be assessed using biochemical markers. Indeed, current pathological analysis of tumor specimens is increasingly reliant on molecular phenotyping. Thus, high priorities for bladder cancer research include identification of (1) biomarkers that will enable the identification of high grade T1 tumors that pose the most threat and require the most aggressive treatment; (2) biomarkers that predict the likelihood that a low grade, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage pTa bladder tumor will progress into an invasive carcinoma with metastatic potential; (3) biomarkers that indicate which pTa tumors are most likely to recur, thus enabling clinicians to prospectively identify patients who require aggressive treatment; and (4) how these markers might contribute to biological processes that underlie tumor progression and metastasis, potentially through loss of terminal differentiation. This review will discuss the proteins associated with urothelial cell differentiation, with a focus on those implicated in bladder cancer, and other proteins that may be involved in neoplastic progression. It is hoped that ongoing discoveries associated with the study of these differentiation-promoting proteins can be translated into the clinic to positively impact patient care.
Dihydrexidine: a new potent peripheral dopamine D1 receptor agonist☆

Abstract Dihydrexidine (trans-10,11-dihydroxyhexahydrobenzo-[a]phenanthridine) was found to be a full dopamine D1 receptor agonist with a potency five times that of dopamine. Dihydrexidine showed no agonist activity at peripheral dopamine D2 receptors, α- or β-adrenoceptors at the doses which produced near maximal stimulation of dopamine D1 receptors. The chemical structure of dihydrexidine shows that addition of a phenyl ring to a benzo[f]quinoline moiety bestows potent D1 activity upon a structure which had no such activity previously. This observation introduces a new factor in structure-activity considerations for dopamine receptor ligands.
Helping student employees become members of your organization

One of the challenges with using student employees is for them to have invested interest in the success of the organization. While handling customer support issues are the primary focus of all Help Desks, student employees need to feel that they are a part of that process. This can be accomplished by setting up a structure that involves them in both the daily and long term success of the organization. At the University of Florida, our student supervisors are responsible for the support provided to our clients. This includes monitoring phone and walk-in traffic as well as dealing with system outages. During the term, our senior student staff is responsible for interviewing prospective employees and making hiring recommendations. They also work with the help desk staff to determine effective changes to both our policies and procedures, which are essential to continuing success of the organization. Other employees take on the role of trainers for our new hires as well as updating their technical skills. Finally, ongoing projects allow all employees to make their contributions to the organization. By employing these techniques, the student employees become a part of the success of the organization.
A fast connected components labeling algorithm and its application to real-time pupil detection

We describe a fast connected components labeling algorithm using a region coloring approach. It computes region attributes such as size, moments, and bounding boxes in a single pass through the image. Working in the context of real-time pupil detection for an eye tracking system, we compare the time performance of our algorithm with a contour tracing-based labeling approach and a region coloring method developed for a hardware eye detection system. We find that region attribute extraction performance exceeds that of these comparison methods. Further, labeling each pixel, which requires a second pass through the image, has comparable performance.
Nanoelectronic devices from self-organized molecular switches

The development of molecular electronic switching devices for memory and computing applications presents one of the most exciting contemporary challenges in nanoscience and nanotechnology. One basis for such a device is a two-terminal molecular-switch tunnel junction that can be electrically switched between high- and low-conductance states. Towards this end, the concepts of self-assembly and molecular recognition have been pursued actively for synthesizing two families of redox-controllable mechanically interlocked molecules – bistable catenanes and bistable rotaxanes – as potential candidates for solid-state molecular-switch tunnel junctions. This article reviews logically the development and understanding of Langmuir, Langmuir–Blodgett and self-assembled monolayers of amphiphilic bistable and functionalized bistable rotaxanes and their catenanes counterparts. Our increased understanding of the superstructures of these monolayers has guided our recent efforts to incorporate these self-organized molecular switches into devices. The methodologies that are being employed are in their early stages of development. Certain characteristics of the molecules, monolayers, electrodes and devices are emerging that serve as lessons to be consider in responding to the ample opportunities for further research and process development in the field of nanoelectronics.
Questioning the "Aloha" in a Multicultural Teacher Education Course.

Hawaii is often perceived as the “Land of Aloha”, a racial paradise where everyone gets along. But do we? The author explores Hawaii's distinct cultural dynamics with pre-service teachers in a multicultural education course that problematised race and ethnicity. Using an inquiry approach and culturally relevant activities, the class examined the social inequity that exists between privileged “non-minorities” like Japanese, Chinese and Whites, and “disadvantaged minorities” like Filipinos, Native Hawaiians and Samoans. This study found that living among diversity in Hawaii made recognising racism and social inequity difficult. Patterns of student engagement reflected one's positioning in Hawaii's racial and socioeconomic hierarchy. Students from privileged groups minimised and deflected their role in contributing to racism, while students from disadvantaged groups assumed a more critical stance towards society. This study reframes the dialogue on race in education and provides implications for multicultura...
Algorithm 405: roots of matrix pencils: the generalized eigenvalue problem [F2]

* This work was supported by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, by the National Science Foundation under Grant GS-2703 to the University of Chicago, and by the US Office of Naval Research under Grant NONR 760(24) NR 047-048 to Carnegie-Mellon University. Computations were done on the University of Chicago's Maniac III computer and were supported by the US Atomic Energy Commission under grants AT (11-1)-614 and AT (11-1)-2094.
On eigenvalue variations of rayleigh quotient matrix pencils of a definite pencil

Abstract Let A − λ B be a definite matrix pencil of order n , i.e., both A and B are n × n Hermitian and c(A,B)= def min xe C n ,‖x‖ 2 =1 |x H (A+iB)x|>0 . Suppose Y is an n × l matrix with full column rank whose column vectors span an approximate invariant subspace for A − λ B . This note investigates the relation between eigenvalues of A − λB and those of Y H AY − λY H BY . Our result for the spectral norm improves Sun's [ Linear Algebra Appl. 139:253–267 (1990)]. We also present bounds in Frobenius norms and in general unitarily invariant norms.
A systems approach to risk management through leading safety indicators

Abstract The goal of leading indicators for safety is to identify the potential for an accident before it occurs. Past efforts have focused on identifying general leading indicators, such as maintenance backlog, that apply widely in an industry or even across industries. Other recommendations produce more system-specific leading indicators, but start from system hazard analysis and thus are limited by the causes considered by the traditional hazard analysis techniques. Most rely on quantitative metrics, often based on probabilistic risk assessments. This paper describes a new and different approach to identifying system-specific leading indicators and provides guidance in designing a risk management structure to generate, monitor and use the results. The approach is based on the STAMP (System-Theoretic Accident Model and Processes) model of accident causation and tools that have been designed to build on that model. STAMP extends current accident causality to include more complex causes than simply component failures and chains of failure events or deviations from operational expectations. It incorporates basic principles of systems thinking and is based on systems theory rather than traditional reliability theory.
Low Damping of Cylinders Vibrating in Still Water

We performed laboratory tests of a smooth rigid cylinder oscillating in still water, with L/D in the range 3.3–26.2, Keulegan-Carpenter numbers KC = 2 − 7, and β = 1000 − 6000. Within these ranges, drag coefficients are seen to increase with increasing KC, decrease with increasing β, and decrease with increasing L/D. The values, especially with high L/D, are somewhat lower than those reported by Sarpkaya.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Silent Mitral Insufficiency in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Severe mitral insufficiency in the absence of an audible murmur was diagnosed by left ventricular angiography in three patients with power failure secondary to acute myocardial infarction during evaluation for mechanical circulatory assist and surgery. Mitral valve prolapse was present in two patients. Postmortem examination did not reveal an anatomic basis for the mitral insufficiency: the valve, papillary muscles, and supporting structures were all grossly normal. A single papillary muscle removed at surgery revealed a marked decrease in force development (0.22 g/mm2 vs 0.62 ± 0.22 g/mm2 in eight normal papillary muscles from patients with rheumatic heart disease). During isoproterenol stimulation, force development in this muscle decreased 20%, whereas in the normal muscles force development increased 73 ± 31%. Microscopically, all papillary muscles revealed evidence of extensive necrosis. Silent mitral insufficiency in acute myocardial infarction, therefore, was probably related to diminished flow vel...
In vivo effects of heavy metals on cellular defense mechanisms of Crassostrea virginica: Phagocytic and endocytotic indices

The phagocytic indices (number of cells/100 cells that had phagocytosed bacteria) and endocytotic indices (number of bacteria within each phagocyte) of Crassostrea virginica granulocytes that had been exposed in vivo to 1 ppm of Cu2+, Cd2+, Cu2+ + EDTA, Cd2+ + EDTA, and sea water (controls) for 24 hr, 72 hr, 1 week, and 2 weeks were compared. The bacterium utilized was Escherichia coli. The resulting data suggest that Cu2+ has an inhibitory effect and that Cd2+ has a stimulatory effect on phagocytosis. Conversely, Cu+ appears to stimulate a greater number of endocytosed bacteria per granulocyte while Cd2+ appears to suppress endocytosis.
Effects of citrinin on renal function and structure

Abstract Citrinin is a nephrotoxic mycotoxin produced by Penicillia and Aspergilli. This study defines, functionally and histopathologically, the effects of citrinin on the rat kidney. Rats were anesthetized, prepared surgically, and then infused with [3H] inulin and p-aminohippurate (PAH) in saline prior to and during renal function and clearance studies. One group of rats served as the control and animals in this group were not treated with citrinin. Rats in 2 additional groups received either 5 or 50 mg/kg [14C] citrinin (i.v.) and were used immediately for clearance experiments. Four days after pretreatment with 50 mg/kg citrinin (i.p.), rats in a fourth group which showed signs of acute renal failure were given an additional 5 mg/kg [14C] citrinin (i.v.). Control rats developed saline diuresis, reaches a peak urine volume of 1.94 ml/20 min at 80 min, and cleared inulin and PAH at 2.4 and 7.45 ml/min, respectively. Non-pretreated rats receiving 5 and 50 mg/kg [14C] citrinin at time zero cleared inulin at 2.26 and 1.65 ml/min, respectively, and cleared PAH at 4.02 and 3.88 ml/min, respectively. “Nephrotoxic” rats did not develop saline diuresis. “Nephrotoxic” rats also cleared inulin and PAH at rate significantly lower than controls: 0.25 and 0.2 ml/min for inulin and PAH, respectively. The PAH/inulin clearance ratio was significantly lower in all treatment groups than in controls. Na+ excretion followed a pattern similar to urine excretion for each group, however, the rate of K+ excretion was significantly lower in all treatment groups than in the control group. The fractional K+ reabsorption in non-pretreated rats receiving 5 (63%) and 50 (83%) mg/kg [14C] citrinin was increased significantly over controls (46%). Filtered K+ reabsorbed by “nephrotoxic” rats was a negative 35%, i.e. K+ secretion occurred. Clearance of [14C] citrinin in non-pretreated rats receiving 5 and 50 mg/kg was 6.8 and 4.1 ml/min, respectively. Rats which exhibited nephrotoxicity (“nephrotoxic rats”) cleared the labelled citrinin at a rate of 1.25 ml/min. Histopathological changes observed in kidneys of rats treated with 50 mg/kg citrinin (i.p.) could be classed as reversibly or irreversibly injured by citrinin. Rats which excreted a high urine volume and excess protein and glucose on day 3 or 4 after treatment showed irreversible cellular injury, primarily located in the proximal convoluted tubules.
On the response of hailstorms to enhanced CCN concentrations

Abstract In this study we explore the role that cloud base height (or cloud base temperature) plays in the response of hailstorms to increased concentrations of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). A rather large number of cloud-resolving simulations were performed which explored the parameter space varying both potential CCN concentration and cloud base heights, using a microphysical scheme that predicts 3-moments of the hail size distribution. Several simulated quantities exhibited distinct responses to enhanced CCN concentrations depending on the cloud base altitudes. For instance, positive changes prevailed in the number concentration and the predominant diameter of hailstones on the surface, the integral mass of hail precipitation and the peak rates for high cloud base heights or a deeper layer between cloud base and the freezing level. Conversely, weak effects prevailed for numerical experiments initialized with lower cloud bases.
Fossil Camels in the Omo Beds, Southern Ethiopia

A molar tooth and metatarsal bone found in the Omo beds seem to be those of a camel of about the same size as today's Bactrian camel. These are the first camel remains to be recognized in eastern Africa.
The Information Technologies and Soviet Society: Problems and Prospects

The "national presence" of the information technologies in Soviet society differs somewhat, both quantitatively and qualitatively, from that in the US and other large industrialized Western countries. This presence is described and assessed by considering: 1) current Soviet capabilities and recent initiatives to improve those capabilities; 2) a model of a "Soviet-style information society" and its comparison with an analogous model for the West; 3) prospective progress and problems to the end of the century within the context of our model; and 4) boundaries, including the probable limits of systemic evolution for Soviet society, and the extent to which the boundaries of our model are being or are likely to be reached or crossed.
Epidemiology of influenza C virus in man: multiple evolutionary lineages and low rate of change.

Abstract The nucleotide sequences of nonstructural protein (NS) genes of human influenza C viruses isolated between 1947 and 1983 were determined and compared. Assuming constant evolutionary rates, the extent of nucleotide differences among NS genes does not correspond to the isolation years of the strains. This suggests that more than one gene lineage is present in the population. Furthermore, examination of the eight C virus NS gene sequences by the maximum parsimony method ( W. M. Fitch, 1971 , Syst. Zool. 20 , 406–416) yielded phylogenetic trees that were grossly different from those obtained using the hemagglutinin genes for the same eight isolates. This result is compatible with the idea of reassortment of genes in nature across lineages of influenza C viruses. The sequence analysis also suggests that nucleotide substitutions occur at a lower rate in the C virus NS genes than in influenza A virus NS genes.
Quantitative Reverse Zymography: Analysis of Picogram Amounts of Metalloproteinase Inhibitors Using Gelatinase A and B Reverse Zymograms

Matrix metalloproteinases are a growing family of neutral pH optima, zinc atom-dependent endopeptidases that collectively degrade all components of the extracellular matrix. This family of related proteases is further defined by their inhibition of protease activity by a class of low-molecular-weight endogenous inhibitors known as tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases or TIMPs. Reverse zymography is an electrophoretic technique used to identify TIMP inhibitory activity within acrylamide gels. Previous methods have generally used biochemically complex sources of proteolytic activity (such as cell culture conditioned media) copolymerized with a proteinase substrate in the gel to identify the zones of inhibited proteolysis. We describe a novel system for reverse zymography using purified recombinant human gelatinase A or gelatinase B in place of conditioned media. These reverse zymograms using recombinant gelatinase have sensitivities for TIMPs that are favorable in comparison to immunoblotting techniques but have the benefit of visualizing multiple inhibitors simultaneously. We have developed and characterized these methods for the evaluation of inhibitors and have shown them to be highly sensitive, convenient, and reproducible. Both systems detect TIMPs 1, 2, and 3 simultaneously, but with differential sensitivities for TIMPs 1 and 2. Using gelatinase A the system can detect as little as 1 pg of rTIMP-2, but the limit of detection for rTIMP-1 is 40 pg. Gelatinase B shows less differential activity in that the limits of detection are 60 and 40 pg for TIMP-2 and TIMP-1, respectively. We demonstrate how these varied sensitivities of the gelatinases for the TIMPs can contribute to potential pitfalls in systems using uncharacterized reagents (i.e., conditioned media).
8-channel InP monolithic tunable optical router for packet forwarding

Advancements in photonic integration allow development of complex, large-scale circuits suited for future optical packet switched networks. We review our 8-channel InP monolithic tunable optical router chip capable of 40 Gbps operation per port.
The effect of class II major histocompatibility complex expression on adherence of Helicobacter pylori and induction of apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells: A mechanism for T helper cell type 1-mediated damage

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with gastric epithelial damage, including apoptosis, ulceration, and cancer. Although bacterial factors and the host response are believed to contribute to gastric disease, no receptor has been identified that explains how the bacteria attach and signal the host cell to undergo apoptosis. Using H. pylori as “bait” to capture receptor proteins in solubilized membranes of gastric epithelial cells, class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules were identified as a possible receptor. Signaling through class II MHC molecules leading to the induction of apoptosis was confirmed using cross-linking IgM antibodies to surface class II MHC molecules. Moreover, binding of H. pylori and the induction of apoptosis were inhibited by antibodies recognizing class II MHC. Since type 1 T helper cells are present during infection and produce interferon (IFN)-γ, which increases class II MHC expression, gastric epithelial cell lines were exposed to H. pylori in the presence or absence of IFN-γ. IFN-γ increased the attachment of the bacteria as well as the induction of apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells. In contrast to MHC II–negative cell lines, H. pylori induced apoptosis in cells expressing class II MHC molecules constitutively or after gene transfection. These data describe a novel receptor for H. pylori and provide a mechanism by which bacteria and the host response interact in the pathogenesis of gastric epithelial cell damage.
Post-yield nanomechanics of human cortical bone in compression using synchrotron X-ray scattering techniques

The ultrastructural response to applied loads governs the post-yield deformation and failure behavior of bone, and is correlated with bone fragility fractures. Combining a novel progressive loading protocol and synchrotron X-ray scattering techniques, this study investigated the correlation of the local deformation (i.e., internal strains of the mineral and collagen phases) with the bulk mechanical behavior of bone. The results indicated that the internal strains of the longitudinally oriented collagen fibrils and mineral crystals increased almost linearly with respect to the macroscopic strain prior to yielding, but markedly decreased first and then gradually leveled off after yielding. Similar changes were also observed in the applied stress before and after yielding of bone. However, the collagen to mineral strain ratio remained nearly constant throughout the loading process. In addition, the internal strains of longitudinal mineral and collagen phases did not exhibit a linear relationship with either the modulus loss or the plastic deformation of bulk bone tissue. Finally, the time-dependent response of local deformation in the mineral phase was observed after yielding. Based on the results, we speculate that the mineral crystals and collagen fibrils aligned with the loading axis only partially explain the post-yield deformation, suggesting that shear deformation involving obliquely oriented crystals and fibrils (off axis) is dominant mechanism of yielding for human cortical bone in compression.
How To Ensure Good Thermal Performance of Cellulose Fiber Insulation. Part I. Horizontal Applications

The achievement of good thermal performance in horizontal applications of cellulose fibre insulation is discussed.
Linking Climate Change and Fish Conservation Efforts Using Spatially Explicit Decision Support Tools

Fisheries professionals are increasingly tasked with incorporating climate change projections into their deci- sions. Here we demonstrate how a structured decision frame- work, coupled with analytical tools and spatial data sets, can help integrate climate and biological information to evaluate management alternatives. We present examples that link down- scaled climate change scenarios to fish populations for two common types of problems: (1) strategic spatial prioritization of limited conservation resources and (2) deciding whether removing migration barriers would benefit a native fish also threatened with invasion by a nonnative competitor. We used Bayesian networks (BNs) to translate each decision problem into a quantitative tool and implemented these models under historical and future climate projections. The spatial prioriti- zation BN predicted a substantial loss of habitat for the target species by the 2080s and provided a means to map habitats and populations most likely to persist under future climate projec- tions. The barrier BN applied to three streams predicted that barrier removal decisions—previously made assuming a sta- tionary climate—were likely robust under the climate scenario considered. The examples demonstrate the benefit of structuring the decision-making process to clarify management objectives, formalize assumptions, synthesize current understanding about climate effects on fish populations, and identify key uncertain- ties requiring further investigation.
An Iterative Fuzzy Segmentation Algorithm for Recognizing an Odor Source in Near Shore Ocean Environments

A mission of chemical plume tracing (CPT) in near-shore and ocean environments is to navigate an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to find a chemical plume, to trace the plume to its source, and to declare the source location. It is necessary to recognize the declared odor source by using a visual system. Color images, which were taken in near-shore ocean environments when the source was declared, are very vague due to dim illumination conditions and fluid advection effects. This paper presents an iterative fuzzy segmentation (IFS) algorithm for extracting color components of the chemical plume and the odor source for visual confirmation of the correct declared odor source. The proposed approach might be of general interest in image processing and computer vision.