cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Creating an international design teama

The Microsoft Mobile and Embedded Devices User Experience Team (MEDX) is made up of 20 designers and researchers at the main headquarter office in Redmond, outside of Seattle, USA. In the spring of 2005, a design team of four people was started in Beijing, China. How does one successfully set up a remote team when collaboration is central to the task? What are the realities of creating clear communications across diverse languages, cultures and time zones? How does one create an appealing career path for remote talent? This paper will discuss the challenges, celebrations and lessons learned during the first two years of MEDX Beijing's development.
Retinal vein occlusion in two patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

Primary antiphopholipid syndrome (APS) is a disease producing vascular thrombus with antiphospholipid antibody without association with autoimmune diseases as systemic lupus erythematosus. Retinal vein occlusion is a rare vascular manifestation in primary APS. We describe 2 cases of primary APS presenting with developing blurred vision. Each had central retinal vein occlusion and high titer of IgG anticardiolipin antibody.
Contributing to Alaska Communities by Cultivating Local Monitoring for National Park Management

This research note is part of the thematic section, Giving Back Through Collaboration in Practice, in the special issue titled “Giving Back in Field Research,” published as Volume 10, Issue 2 in the Journal of Research Practice.
Gravitational Sisyphus Cooling of 87Rb in a Magnetic Trap

We describe a method for cooling magnetically trapped ${}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms by irreversibly cycling the atoms between two trapped states. The cooling force is proportional to gravity. The atoms are cooled to 1.5 \ensuremath{\mu}K in the vertical dimension. We have extended this cooling method to two dimensions through anharmonic mixing, achieving a factor of 25 increase in the phase space density over an uncooled sample. This cooling method should be an important intermediate step toward achieving a Bose-Einstein condensate of Rb atoms.
Phenoloxidase Activity and Fruiting Body Formation in Schizophyllum commune

Studies of induced haploid fruiting in the Basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune suggested that polyphenoloxidase enzymes may participate in the formation of fruiting bodies. Reported inhibitors of phenoloxidases were found to affect both the activity of these enzymes and the fruiting response. Fertile mycelia were found to give a positive Bavendamm reaction in situ, and cell-free extracts from fertile mycelia exhibited polyphenoloxidase activity when studied spectrophotometrically. Sterile mycelia, on the other hand, were devoid of these activities. Various kinds of mutant homo- and dikaryotic mycelia were studied, and the results suggested a correlation between phenoloxidase activity and fruiting body formation in S. commune.
Images, words, and questions : Variables that influence beliefs about vision in children and adults

In three studies we used animated computer graphics to examine beliefs among children and adults that vision involved input to the eyes (the intromission theory) or emissions from the eye (the extramission theory). Results supported previous findings which showed a decrease in extramission and an increase in intromission responses across age. The findings also indicated that there were more extramission interpretations when subjects were tested with graphic images, and more intromission interpretations when the questioning was purely verbal. However, the magnitude of the effect was highly dependent upon question format. The differences between graphic and verbal question presentations (A) are consistent with our theory on the origins of extramission beliefs, (B) suggest that beliefs can vary as a function of form of symbolization, and (C) are contrary to long-standing beliefs of educators and psychologists that emphasize the importance of concrete, pictorial representation.
Measurements of fog composition at a rural site

Abstract Studies that focus on fog chemistry in the United States have been limited to relatively few locations. Apart from measurements along the East and West coasts and extensive analysis of radiation fog in the Central Valley of California, fog composition has been characterized in only a handful of other locations. To complement and expand the existing fog chemistry data that are currently available, a new field campaign was established at a rural location in Central Pennsylvania to produce a unique, long term record of fog composition. From 2007 to 2010, 41 fog events were sampled with an automated Caltech Heated Rod Cloudwater Collector (CHRCC). The collected samples were analyzed primarily for pH and major inorganic ions. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and trace metals were analyzed in selected samples and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) was quantified in two samples. Sample composition varied widely during the study period. Sulfate concentrations ranged from 15 to 955 (median = 123) μN and pH varied between 3.08 and 7.41 (median = 5.77). In terms of volume weighted averages, ammonium was the most abundant ionic species followed by sulfate, calcium, and nitrate. For the subset of samples in which DOC was analyzed, concentrations ranged from 2.2 to 22.6 mgC l −1 . Comparisons with regional precipitation chemistry measurements reveal the influence of local agricultural and soil sources on fog composition. The sum of sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium measured in the present study is considerably lower than the majority of radiation, precipitation, and coastal fogs collected in the United States although the ammonium/(nitrate + sulfate) ratio is similar to those found in the Central Valley of California.
Shock tube study of monomethylamine thermal decomposition and NH2 high temperature absorption coefficient

CH3NH2 thermal decomposition is shown to provide a suitable NH2 radical source for spectroscopic and kinetic shock tube studies. Using this precursor, the absorption coefficient of the NH2 radical at a detection wavelength of 16739.90 cm−1 has been determined. In the temperature range 1600–2000K the low-pressure absorption coefficient is described by the polynominal equation: kNH2=3.953×1010/T3+7.295×105/T2−1.549×103/T [atm−1 cm−1] The uncertainty of the determined absorption coefficient is estimated to be ±10%. The rate of the thermal decomposition reaction CH3NH2+M CH3+NH2+M is determined over the temperature range 1550–1900 K and at pressures near 1.6 atm. The rate coefficient was found to be: k1=2.51×1016 exp(−28430/T) [cm3 mol−1 s−1] The uncertainty of the determined rate coefficients is estimated to be ±20%. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 323–330, 1999
Lyapunov stability of ground states of nonlinear dispersive evolution equations

On presente une nouvelle demonstration de la stabilite orbitale des solitons d'etat fondamental de l'equation de Schrodinger non lineaire pour une grande classe de non-linearites. On demontre la stabilite de l'onde solitaire pour l'equation de Korteweg-de Vries generalisee
Computation of extinction probabilities for the Bellman-Harris branching process

Abstract Outlined in the beginning of this paper is the Bellman-Harris age-dependent branching process. Recursive equations to compute the probability of extinction at a given epoch are then developed. Using these equations, computer runs were made for two reproduction rules, binary and Poisson, and three reproduction means, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5. The results of these runs are then presented, with emphasis on their rate of convergence to the probability of eventual extinction.
New Lines in the Ultraviolet Spectrum of Atomic Iodine

A total of 250 lines in the arc and first spark spectrum of atomic iodine have been photographed with a vacuum grating spectrograph. A grating of one meter radius and ruled with 30,000 lines per inch was used. The region covered extended from $\ensuremath{\lambda}1900\mathrm{A}$ to $\ensuremath{\lambda}800\mathrm{A}$. The spectrum was produced in a mixture of argon and iodine. In part of the work, iodine was prevented from entering the spectrograph by a continual flow of pure argon from the spectrograph through the slit to the discharge tube. This permitted the extension of wave-length measurements below the fluorite region to $\ensuremath{\lambda}800\mathrm{A}$.
Far Infrared Spectrum and the Barrier to Internal Rotation in 1,1,1,2‐Tetrafluoroethane

The spectrum of 1,1,1,2‐tetrafluoroethane gas has been examined in the far infrared (50–420 cm—1). Bands were observed at 120, 225, 350, and 409 cm—1. The contour of the strong band at 120 cm—1 is consistent with that to be expected for the torsional oscillation. This frequency would correspond to a triple cosine barrier of 4.2 kcal/mole.
High-order harmonic generation in atom clusters.

We report the generation of short-wavelength, high-order harmonics of intense laser radiation from atom clusters. Clusters containing about 1${0}^{3}$ atoms are produced in a high-pressure gas jet. We show them to be a unique nonlinear medium. Compared with monomer gases they yield a higher appearance intensity for a given harmonic order, stronger nonlinear dependence of harmonic signal on laser intensity, higher-order harmonics, and reduced saturation of the harmonic signal at high laser intensity.
High-pressure calorimetric study of plasticization of poly(methyl methacrylate) by methane, ethylene, and carbon dioxide

Glass transition in the system poly(methyl methacrylate)/compressed gas was studied as a function of the gas pressure p using a high-pressure Tian-Calvet heat flow calorimeter. Measurements were made on PMMA-CH 4 , ;-C 2 H 4 , and ;-CO 2 at pressures to 200 atm. All three gases plasticize the polymer leading to depression of the glass transition temperature T g . Trends in the T g depression were the same as those reported for the solubility of these gases in PMMA ; the higher the solubility the larger the depression in T g . CO 2 was found to be the most effective plasticizer producing a depression of about 40°C at a pressure of about 37 atm. In the low-pressure limit, the pressure coefficient of the glass transition temperature (dT g /dp) was found to be about -0.2°C atm -1 for PMMA-CH 4 , the same as that observed for polystyrene-CH 4 . For PMMA-C 2 H 4 , the pressure coefficient was -0.7°C atm -1 , which is lower than the value of -0.9°C atm -1 observed for PS-C 2 H 4 . The pressure coefficient for PMMA-CO 2 was found to be about -1.2°C atm -1 , which is larger than the value of -0.9°C atm -1 observed for PS-CO 2 .
Elimination of integrated circuit bond pad crater test over rejection

Wirebond interconnect reliability in integrated circuit, IC, chip is one of the key characteristic for the IC's performance during its function. One of the common and known interconnect reliability failures is cratering or the Wirebonding or Probing process related damage in bond pad surface and underlying material. This study determined that cratering is not only Wirebond or Probe process induced. Cratering can also be induced by the chemical test preparation, the etching process. Samples for pad cratering test are pulled out after Wirebond. To determine if there is damage in the pad, the wire-pad intermetallic is etched. The complete etching process shows the ball bond lifting and then revealing the pad surface. If not optimized, the etching process in the extreme side or over etch will shift the stress in the pad as the wire lifts. This mean a portion of the pad peels off with the wire resulting to pad damage. This phenomenon was validated in a screening design of experiment, DOE covering temperature before etch start, amount of etching chemicals, volume of samples, and etch time as key input variables. Temperature before etch start was the significant factor at 95% confidence level and was optimized. To avoid over etch; the process should start at 40 degrees Celsius. The cratering test procedure was revised and since then bond pad crater test over rejection was eliminated.
Proliferative periostitis of Garré: Report of a case

Proliferative periostitis of Garre is described as a productive and proliferative inflammatory response of periosteum to infection or other irritation. This can be odontogenic or non-odontogenic in nature. This is a case report of an odontogenic periostitis resulting from periapical inflammation of endodontic origin. It was successfully treated by nonsurgical endodontics. Antibiotic therapy was not used during the treatment of this patient.
The effect of low power plasmas on carbon fibre surfaces: A comparison between low and high modulus PAN based fibres with pitch based carbon fibres

Abstract A comparison of the effects of a variety of low power ( C N groups produced on the higher modulus fibres was undesirably low. Their concentration was increased by biasing the fibres to a negative potential (10–30V) during plasma exposure. Examination of these treated fibre surfaces showed that little, if any, etching of the fibre surface had taken place and hence damage to the fibre was minimal.
Training Childcare Center Administrators About Integrated Pest Management Through Greener Environmental Communication Venues and Collecting Pesticide Use Data in the Process

Many people assume that schools and childcare centers are environmentally safe places for children to learn. However, adverse health effects from pest allergy related illnesses or pesticide exposure incidents can demonstrate the need for safer and more effective pest management strategies. The goal of this research is to measure the efficacy of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Webinar training sessions given to childcare administrators to ultimately protect children's health by protecting children from pest and pesticide exposures in childcare centers. Over the years, numerous IPM initiatives have focused on evaluating and reducing the use of pesticides in K–12 schools; however, until recently, the 0–6 year age group has only marginally been the focus of such efforts. Due to reductions in training and travel budgets, many childcare conferences and workshops have been reduced or eliminated, and replaced by Web-based trainings. An additional goal is to collect a snapshot of pesticide use in childcare facili...
Production of original verbal images by college adults to variable time intervals.

This study investigated the effects of varying time intervals on the production of original verbal responses of 90 college men and women, divided into high, moderate and low creative groups. Their responses to 10 onomatopoeic word stimuli presented at intervals of 5, 10, 15 sec. and as much time as needed indicated that highly creative Ss showed greater gains in mean originality scores than their less creative peers when given a 15-sec. deadline, with highly creative men maintaining this superiority even when given as much time as needed.
Overcoming Historical Injustices: Land Reconciliation in South Africa. By James L. Gibson

Overcoming Historical Injustices: Land Reconciliation in South Africa. By James L. Gibson. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2009. 328p. $92.00.All three of James Gibson's books on transitional justice in South Africa focus on showing that the politics of reconciliation with the Apartheid regime are less related to economic “self-interest” than to “sociotropic fairness.” On close examination, Gibson concludes that an individual's preferences about land reconciliation are not a direct function of egocentric instrumentalism. Rather, in his view, they are shaped by conceptions of whether one's group has been fairly treated.
APPROACH GUARDRAIL TRANSITION FOR SINGLE-SLOPE CONCRETE BARRIERS

An approach guardrail transition for use with the single-slope concrete median barrier was developed and crash tested. The transition was constructed with 3.43-mm-thick (10-gauge) thrie-beam rail and was supported by nine W6 X 9 steel posts. Post spacings consisted of one at 292 mm (11.5 in.), five at 476 mm (1 ft 6.75 in.), and three at 952 mm (3 ft 1.5 in.). A structural tube spacer block (TS 7 X 4 X 3/16) was also developed for use with the thrie-beam rail. Two full-scale vehicle crash tests were performed, and the system was shown to meet the Test Level 3 requirements specified in NCHRP Report 350: Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features.
Second order dissipative fluid dynamics for ultrarelativistic nuclear collisions

The Muller-Israel-Stewart second-order theory of relativistic imperfect fluids based on Grad's moment method is used to study the expansion of hot matter produced in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions. The temperature evolution is investigated in the framework of the Bjorken boost-invariant scaling limit. The results of these second-order theories are compared to those of first-order theories due to Eckart and to Landau and Lifshitz and those of zeroth order (perfect fluid) due to Euler.
Auditor Acceptance of Dysfunctional Audit Behavior: An Explanatory Model Using Auditors' Personal Characteristics

Dysfunctional behavior (DB) and staff turnover are associated with decreased audit quality (Public Oversight Board 2000). Dysfunctional behaviors such as premature sign‐off, gathering of insufficient evidence, altering or replacing audit procedures, and underreporting of time have negative effects on the auditing profession. While recent studies suggest that dysfunctional behavior is a widespread problem (Smith 1995; Otley and Pierce 1995), extant research fails to adequately explain the causes. In this study, the organizational behavior and industrial psychology literatures provide the basis for developing and testing a model that identifies locus of control, performance, and turnover intentions as determinants of auditor acceptance of DB. Using a cross‐organizational design and a structural equation modeling technique, survey results from 106 auditors generally support the explanatory model. Results indicate that auditors who are more accepting of DB tend to possess an external locus of control, report ...
Sequences and Structures of Retinal Proteins

The past few years have been an exciting period in the field of the structure of retinal proteins, especially the visual pigments. A significant achievement is the 9 A projection map of bovine rhodopsin. This not only provides knowledge of the three-dimensional structure of visual pigments, but also establishes a more reliable basis for the structural modeling of all the G-protein-coupled receptors. The modeling of such three-dimensional structures will eventually lead to a better understanding of the function of visual pigments and other G-protein-coupled receptors. Our goal in this article is to draw attention to recent developments in the structure of retinal proteins, with special emphasis on visual pigments. By combining a wide range of existing experimental data with the results of theoretical calculations, a new three-dimensional structure of visual pigments, which differs from the models which have so far been reported, is proposed.
Joint multifractal analysis of crop yield and terrain slope.

Quantifying the spatial variability of crop yields and yield-affecting factors are important issues in precision agriculture. Topography is frequently one of the most important factors affecting yields, and topographical data are much easier to obtain than time and laborconsuming measurements of soil properties. In this study, yield variability and the relationships between yields and terrain slopes were analyzed using theories of multifractal and joint multifractal measures. Corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield data from 1994 to 1998 were collected via yield monitors from a central 6.6 ha section of an agricultural field in eastern Indiana. Slopes were derived from a field terrain map using a GIS. Multifractal analysis of yield and slope maps revealed that both yield and slope distributions were multifractal measures. Hence, joint multifractal analysis was applied to evaluate the effect of slope on crop-yield spatial variability. Joint multifractal analysis facilitated (i) the ability to differentiate between yield distributions corresponding to field locations with high and low slopes, and (ii) the ability to make inferences about slope distributions that affect grain yield the most. Multifractal analysis revealed that during four growing seasons with moderate and dry weather conditions, larger yields were observed at low slope locations while a wide range of yield values was observed at sites with moderate and high slopes. During the wet growing season, lower yields prevailed at locations with low slopes. Joint multifractal theory was useful for the study of yield/topography relationships and was an applicable tool for the analysis of spatially distributed data.
Stability of boiling in porous media

Abstract The onset of two-dimensional roll convection in the presence of boiling is studied for a fluid-saturated horizontal porous layer. The layer is heated from below and cooled from above. The rest-state phase structure consists of a liquid region overlying a two-phase region. The two important parameters in the problem are the Rayleigh number in the liquid region ( Ra ) and the dimensionless heat flux at the bottom boundary ( Q b ). Both liquid-dominated and vapor-dominated two-phase regions are investigated. For liquid-dominated systems, the convective instability is driven mainly by bouyancy in the region, while for vapor-dominated systems the instability is driven by the gravitational instability of the overlying layers. For liquid-dominated systems, a stability diagram in Ra − Q b parameter space is used to interpret prior laboratory experiments.
Abstract LB-239: ROCK1 inhibition reduces tumor collagen content in the KPC model for PDAC

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL ROCK1 is a multifunctional member of the AGC (protein kinase A/G/C) kinase family that has been implicated in the modulation of stress-fiber assembly, cell contraction, apoptosis, and in the migration and invasion of multiple cancer cell types. It has been reported that ROCK1 plays an important role in the activation and function of pancreatic stellate cells, including in the formation of desmoplasia in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)(Masamune, 2003, Br J Pharmacol, 140:1292). Desmoplasia and its effects are thought to contribute to poor drug delivery in PDAC treatment. We therefore hypothesized that ROCK1 inhibition may reduce desmoplasia and enhance drug efficacy in PDAC treatment. We previously reported that ROCK1 is overexpressed in human pancreatic tumor cells and amplified in a small subset of PDAC patient samples. In this study we report that the ROCK inhibitor, fasudil, reduced collagen mRNA levels by 3.9-fold in cultured pancreatic stellate cells derived from PDAC tissues treated at 100µM. We also observed a 3.0-fold reduction in collagen protein expression in co-cultured tumor and stellate cells at the same concentration of fasudil. Similar reductions were observed in immunofluorescence analysis of co-cultured tumor and stellate cells treated with fasudil. We next sought to determine if ROCK1 inhibition would result in a reduction in collagen expression in the the LSL-KrasG12D/+;LSL-Trp53R172H/+;Pdx-1-Cre (KPC) mouse model for PDAC. KPC mice were treated orally, b.i.d., with 100mg/kg fasudil and by i.p. with gemcitabine (q3dx4) at 80mg/kg. Tumors in KPC mice treated with the combination of fasudil and gemcitabine showed a marked reduction in overall tumor collagen content when compared to vehicle-treated mice as measured by a pentachrome staining. Histochemical analysis of tumors also showed reductions in the overall proliferation of the pancreatic stellate cell compartment. Ongoing efforts are being made to assess whether this treatment regimen may enhance gemcitabine efficacy in the KPC mice. These results indicate that ROCK1 is a potential therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer, and may provide an effective means to enhance current treatment regimens. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-239. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-239
Continuous pulmonary perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass prevents lung injury in infants

Abstract Background . Lung injury after cardiopulmonary bypass is a serious complication for infants with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension. Excessive neutrophil sequestration in the lung occurring after reestablishment of pulmonary circulation implies that interaction between neutrophils and pulmonary endothelium is the major cause of lung injury. Methods . Thirty infants with either ventricular septal defect or atrioventricular septal defect and with pulmonary hypertension were enrolled in this study. We performed continuous pulmonary perfusion during total cardiopulmonary bypass on 16 patients (perfused group) and conventional cardiopulmonary bypass on 14 patients (control group). PaO 2 /FiO 2 and neutrophil counts were assessed from immediately before surgery to 24 hours after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass. Results . PaO 2 /FiO 2 was higher in the perfused group than in the control group, and the difference was significant throughout the study period. Neutrophil counts decreased below prebypass values in both groups at 30 minutes after aortic unclamping, and the difference was significant in the control group but was not in the perfused group. Duration of postoperative ventilatory support was significantly less in the perfused group. Conclusions . Our study demonstrates that arrested pulmonary circulation during cardiopulmonary bypass is the major risk factor of lung injury and that continuous pulmonary perfusion is effective in preventing lung injury.
Testing the effectiveness of consent searches as a law enforcement tool

The U.S. Supreme Court has held that an individual may voluntarily waive Fourth Amendment protections by consenting to a search of his automobile. One reason for allowing this waiver is based on the assumption that consent searches are an effective tool for the eradication of crime, specifically drug violations. This research examines the effectiveness of consent searches using three measures. The discovery of marijuana, crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin are examined, and the findings vary depending upon the type of narcotic discovered. Absent more definitive definitions of “effectiveness.” firm conclusions could not be drawn.
Silent rectal perforation after endoscopic polypectomy: CT features

A case of silent extraperitoneal rectal perforation secondary to colonoscopic polypectomy is presented. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated pathways of gas diffusion from the perirectal site to different compartments of the retroperitoneum, to the mediastinum and peritoneum.
Ultrastructure of the mouthparts of adult sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract The fine structure of the mouthparts of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), was examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Adult whitefly mouthparts are similar to those of other homopterans, especially aphids, being composed of the labrum, the labium, and the stylets. The stylet bundle is the feeding organ of the whitefly and is composed of 2 mandibular stylets and 2 maxillary stylets. Mandibular stylets, which are located on the outer aspect of the stylet bundle, each contain 2 dendrites. The tips of the mandibular stylets are curved inward, and there are barb-like ridges on the lateral aspects, which probably function in piercing and cutting plant tissues and in anchoring the stylets in the tissues. The maxillary stylets are not innervated and are interlocked to form 2 separate compartments, the food canal and salivary canal. At the distal end of the interlocked maxillary stylets, there is a small depression, which may allow for mixing of the salivary canal and food canal components. Movement of the B. tabaci stylets during feeding is discussed in comparison with other homopterans.
Nuclear-quadrupole-resonance study of the ground state of praseodymium in lanthanum trifluoride

A nuclear-quadrupole-resonance study of trivalent praseodymium in a lanthanum trifluoride single crystal is presented. The magnitudes and orientation of the enhanced nuclear Zeeman tensor are obtained for the six magnetically inequivalent sites from measurements in 100-G magnetic fields. By comparing the directions of the site $y$ axis and the crystal $a$ axis, it is concluded that the ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}$ site symmetry is ${C}_{2}$ and not ${C}_{s}$. From a study of the polarization of the optical pump transition for each ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}$ site, it is determined that the $^{3}H_{4} (0 {\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1})\ensuremath{-}^{1}D_{2} (16872 {\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1})$ optical transition is an electric dipole transition.
Novel adenovirus vaccine vectors based on the enteric-tropic serotype 41.

Replication-defective adenovirus vectors, primarily developed from serotype 5 (Ad5) viruses, have been widely used for gene transfer and vaccination approaches. Vectors based on other serotypes of adenovirus could be used in conjunction with, or in place of, Ad5 vectors. In this study, Ad41, an enteric adenovirus usually described as ‘non-cultivable’ or ‘fastidious,’ has been successfully cloned, rescued and propagated on 293-ORF6 cells. The complementation capabilities of this cell line allow generation of Ad41 vectors at titers comparable to those obtained for Ad5 vectors. Mice immunized with an Ad41 vector containing an HIV envelope (Env) gene mounted anti-Env cellular and humoral immune responses. Ad41-Env vectors appear to be particularly attractive when used in heterologous prime-boost regimens, where they induce significantly higher cellular immune responses to HIV-Env than Ad5-based regimens. Ad41-based constructs are attractive vaccine vectors alone or in combination with Ad5 adenovectors, since each vector type can provide circumvention of pre-existing immunity to the other.
Analysis on extended kernel recursive least squares algorithm

In this paper, the extended kernel recursive least squares (Ex-KRLS) algorithm is reviewed and analyzed. We point out that the Theorem 1 in [10] is not always correct for general cases. Furthermore, the Ex-KRLS algorithm for tracking model is just a random walk KRLS algorithm. Finally, this algorithm is explained as a special Kalman filter in the reproducing kernel Hilbert space.
Cryothermal ablation: mechanism of tissue injury and current experience in the treatment of tachyarrhythmias.

Abstract Cryosurgery has been an integral part of the surgical management of cardiac arrhythmias since the late 1970s. With the recent development of intravenous cryocatheters, the use of cryothermy in the treatment of cardiac arrythmias will increase in the near future. The following discussion includes a detailed consideration of the mode of tissue injury associated with cryothermy and a comprehensive review of cryosurgery in the management of a variety of cardiac arrhythmias. Cryosurgical management of supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias has proven to be both safe and effective. Cryothermal tissue injury is distinguished from hyperthermic injury by the preservation of basic underlying tissue architecture and minimal thrombus formation. Such differences will be particularly important in settings requiring extensive lesion formation, such as catheter-based maze procedures for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Copyright © 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, Vol. 41, No. 6 (May/June), 1999: pp 481-498
A non-destructive and rapid method to estimate biomass and aboveground net primary production in arid environments

We present the calibration of a fast and non-destructive method to estimate aboveground plant biomass measuring vegetation cover. We double-sampled vegetation cover and aboveground biomass in the Patagonian steppe using 150 plots for shrubs and 50 plots for grasses. We performed simple linear regressions between vegetation cover and biomass for the dominant species and life forms (shrubs: Mulinum spinosum, Senecio filaginoides, and Adesmia campestris; grasses: Poa ligularis, Stipa speciosa, and Stipa humilis). All regressions were significant (p<0.01) for green and total biomass. Whereas all grass species had similar slopes, shrub slopes differed among each other with S. filaginoides and A. campestris having the steepest slopes for green and total biomass, respectively (p<0.05). Life-form calibrations showed steeper slopes for shrubs than for grasses (p<0.05). Our regressions are a basis for a non-destructive, rapid, and inexpensive way of estimating green biomass, aboveground net primary production (ANPP), and forage availability. Our life-form equations very likely could be used to estimate biomass and ANPP in other arid ecosystems dominated by tussock grasses and shrubs.
The Computation of Isentropic Atmospheric Trajectories Using a “Discrete Model” Formulation

An explicit technique for calculating atmospheric trajectories is presented as an alternative method to the standard implicit scheme of Danielsen (1961). The technique uses the inviscid equations of motion and the discrete model formulation derived by Greenspan (1972, 1973) to compute trajectories on isentropic surfaces, assuming adiabatic flow. The discrete model formulation is designed specifically for a Lagrangian system and objectively accounts for the geostrophic departures, local psi-tendencies, and the subsequent accelerations along the entire length of the trajectory. Application of the discrete formulation to a diagnostic case study yielded favorable results.
Combining snake-based and intensity-based processing for segmentation of renal structure in lower-torso CT data

We introduce a new method that allows the kidney to be extracted (i.e., segmented) from lower torso computerized tomography (CT) datasets. The method combines active contour (snake)-, intensity-, and shape-based processing to extract the kidney. Initially, a general-purpose coarse mathematical shape model of the kidney is extracted by the method. This coarse segmentation is then refined by snake-based deformation.
Inaccuracy of cardiac output by thermodilution during acute tricuspid regurgitation

We have been comparing cardiac output measured with a novel Doppler pulmonary artery catheter to that measured by thermodilution and aortic electromagnetometry in cardiac surgical patients. We report here our observation of a nearly twofold increase in thermodilution cardiac output after the acute intraoperative onset of tricuspid regurgitation that was not confirmed by the novel catheter or direct measurement of aortic blood flow. We conclude that in some patients, acute tricuspid regurgitation may lessen the reliability of thermodilution cardiac output.
Single-unit analysis of propagated seizures in neocortex.

Abstract Cortical-surface, extracellular, and intracellular recording was carried out in the pericruciate cortex anesthetized and unanesthetized cats during propagated seizures produced by surface repetitive stimulation of the opposite homotopic neocortex. Well developed trans-synaptically initiated seizures could be easily elicited in the unanesthetized animals. Almost all cells observed were found to be overtly involved in the seizure sequence and responded in a relatively uniform manner. Neurons were classified on the basis of their behavior as types I and II (active) and type III (passive). In active neurons, changes in the membrane polarization and spike discharges were observed which characterized the various phases of the seizure. The afterhyperpolarization following either spontaneous or antidromically evoked action potentials was lost and replaced by an after depolarization at the onset of the seizure. The tonic phase was characterized by excessive membrane depolarization and spike discharge with resultant inactivation of A and B spike generators. The clonic phase corresponded to slow membrane repolarization, recovery of the A followed by the B spike generators, and large depolarizing waves exhibiting afterdepolarizations. Hyperpolarization characterized the postictal electrical silence. In passive neurons, recurring depolarizing waves with high-frequency bursts of spikes occurred throughout the tonic and clonic phoses without inactivation of the spike generator followed by a slight postictal hyperpolarization. Light barbiturate anesthesia profoundly suppressed the trans-synaptic elicitation of seizures. Intense tetanizing current produced weak unit and surface seizure activity. The majority of cells simply ceased firing or were not overtly involved in the seizure sequence recorded from the cortical surface.
Age-associated changes in nuclear binding of rat uterine estradiol receptor complexes.

Nuclear binding of cytoplasmic estrogen receptors was measured in an in vitro cell-free system, using various mixtures of cytosols and nuclei from uteri of mature (6–9 month old) and senescent (24–25 month old) Wistar rats. Both nuclei and cytoplasmic receptors from senescent uteri were 25–35% less efficient in supporting nuclear binding than those obtained from mature tissues as evidenced by the concentrations of occupiable nuclear acceptor sites. No age differences in association or dissociation constants were observed for the nuclear binding reaction. However, the apparent inability of some aged receptors to bind to the full complement of mature nuclear acceptor sites may indicate a qualitative deficiency in the cytosols of senescent uteri. (Endocrinology 116: 547–551, 1985)
Internal structure of deep-dwelling Nitella meadows

Abstract Depth gradients of charophyte shoots, oospores and biomass were analysed in two trophically divergent basins of Lake George, NY. Six taxa of charophytes inhabit the meadows. In the north basin, the meadows extend from 8 to 16 m. Internal transitions of species exist. Nitella furcata (Roxb. ex Bruz.) Ag. comprised 85% of the shoots near the shallow margin and gave way gradually to N. flexilis (L.) Ag. (and N. opaca (Bruz.) Ag.) at 11.5 m and deeper. In the more eutrophic south basin where the meadow extends from 7 to 12 m, the shallow association of charophytes was displaced shoreward by N. flexilis. Small amounts of N. furcata persisted near the shallow margin. Several features relate to an assumed light control of the lower boundary. Oospores, as propagules, are abundant in the sediments beneath the meadow and extend above the shallow margin and beyond the deep margins. Internal species transitions, possibly light sensitive, seem to be displaced shoreward in response to nutrient enrichment. Biomass accumulation was variable, independent of depth and sensitive to variables that include eutrophication. Structural details expose the sensitivity of Nitella meadows to disturbance.
Molecular rheology of polymer solutions: Interpretation and utility

Molecular theories of polymer rheology are reviewed with emphasis on predictions of the more familiar properties: non-Newtonian viscosity and normal stress in steady shear, complex viscosity in oscillatory shear, and elongational viscosity in extensional flow. Both dilute and concentrated solutions are discussed, with emphasis on the former. An important objective is clarification of polymer modeling strategies and how they are related to polymer structure. The intended readership consists of those engineers familiar in a general way with continuum polymer rheology, but with no special expertise in polymer physical or theoretical chemistry.
Dimensional Analysis and Calculus Identities

(1988). Dimensional Analysis and Calculus Identities. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 95, No. 8, pp. 746-754.
Accommodation measurements in empty visual fields.

Accommodation is measured by flashing into one eye for 0.05 second every 10 seconds a beam whose configuration indicates whether the subject’s eye is over-accommodated, under-accommodated, or correctly accommodated for the measuring level. The exposure of the measuring beam is short enough not to contaminate the results with accommodative responses to it. Changes in accommodation can thus be followed by a bracketing procedure.The visual stimulus presented to the eye is an empty field, both a completely dark one and one with a bright central area without sharp contours. The eye responds to this kind of stimulation by a fluctuating level of accommodation, with an average level of a little over 1D and with peak-to-trough amplitude of the oscillations of up to 1D, the most prominent period of the fluctuations being about two minutes. Harmonic analysis reveals that, while individual accommodation/time curves show strong frequency bands, there are no characteristic frequencies either for an observer or for a stimulus situation.
A Category-Theoretic Approach to Systems in a Fuzzy World

The last 30 years have seen the growth of a new branch of mathematics called Category Theory which provides a general perspective on many different branches of mathematics. Many workers (see Lawvere, 1972) have argued that it is category theory, rather than Set Theory, that provides the proper setting for the study of the Foundations of Mathematics.
Professionalism: hard to measure but you know it when you see it.

In 1992, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) convened a committee, which produced a white paper entitled Project Professionalism. John Stobo, chairman of The Johns Hopkins University Department of Medicine, chaired the committee. The paper emphasized values and ethics standards that would be required for board certification. It also pointed out that suboptimal professional behavior negatively impacted patient care. In 2002, the ABIM combined with the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the European Federation of Internal Medicine to put forth a charter on professionalism for a new millennium. With the dawn of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) new accreditation process in 2013, there has been an increased emphasis on the documentation and proof of satisfactory professionalism for all residents in approved training programs in the United States. (Published: 14 April 2014) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2014, 4: 24226 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jchimp.v4.24226
Superposition State Molecular Dynamics

The ergodic sampling of rough energy landscapes is crucial for understanding phenomena like protein folding, peptide aggregation, polymer dynamics, and the glass transition. These rough energy landscapes are characterized by the presence of many local minima separated by high energy barriers, where Molecular Dynamics (MD) fails to satisfy ergodicity. To enhance ergodic behavior, we have developed the Superposition State Molecular Dynamics (SSMD) method, which uses a superposition of energy states to obtain an effective potential for the MD simulation. In turn, the dynamics on this effective potential can be used to sample the configurational free energy of the real potential. The effectiveness of the SSMD method for a one-dimensional rough potential energy landscape is presented as a test case.
Hallux Metatarsophalangeal Joint Fusion for the Rheumatoid Forefoot

Forefoot problems in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis are common. The progressive joint destruction causes a redistribution of weight about the forefoot, with a diminished weightbearing capacity of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. Changes around the first MTP joint include synovitis, joint instability with subluxation, and arthritic change. Hallux MTP fusion in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis acts to permanently restore alignment and restore the medial column support of the foot, while at the same time enabling the first MTP to resume its original weightbearing role. Rheumatoid hallux MTP fusion and its rationale are reviewed.
Release of [3H]serotonin and its binding protein from enteric neurons.

Abstract The release of [3H]5-HT and its binding protein, SBP, from the guinea pig enteric nervous system was analyzed. Release of both [3H]5-HT and [3H]NE from strips of longitudinal muscle with adherent myenteric plexus preloaded with the respective radioactive amine was evoked by high K+ and the ionophore X537A. However, Ca2+-dependence could not be shown for [3H]5-HT release by either agent or for [3H]NE release by X537A. However, Ca2+-dependence (as well as inhibition of release by high Mg2+ and tetrodotoxin) could be demonstrated for the release of radio-activity evoked by electrical field stimulation of everted segments of ileum preloaded by perfusion through the serosal lumen with [3H]5-HT. Light and electron microscopic radioautography revealed that the sources of released radioactivity were axons, especially axonal varicosities containing a mixture of small clear and large dense-cored vesicles. SBP, but not the cytosol marker protein, lactic dehydrogenase, was spontaneously released from the perfused everted ileum. A marked increase in SBP (but not LDH) release was provoked by electrical field stimulation at 10 Hz, and thid increased release (but not the spontaneous release) was Ca2+-dependent. It is concluded that SBP and 5-HT are probably stored together, at least in part in vesicles, and that both can be released by exocytosis from depolarized axon terminals.
Integrins regulate neuronal neurotrophin gene expression through effects on voltage-sensitive calcium channels

Integrin adhesion receptors regulate gene expression during growth and differentiation in various cell types. Recent work, implicating integrins in functional synaptic plasticity, suggest they may have similar activities in adult brain. The present study tested if integrins binding the arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) matrix sequence regulate neurotrophin and neurotrophin receptor gene expression in cultured hippocampal slices. The soluble RGD-containing peptide glycine-arginine-glycine-aspartate-serine-proline (GRGDSP) increased neurotrophin mRNA levels in transcript- and subfield-specific fashions. Integrin ligand effects were greatest for brain-derived neurotrophic factor transcripts I and II and barely detectable for transcript III. In accordance with increased nerve growth factor mRNA levels, GRGDSP increased c-fos expression as well. In contrast, growth-associated protein-43, amyloid precursor protein and fibroblast growth factor-1 mRNAs were not elevated. Ligand effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor transcript II and c-fos mRNA did not depend on the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton, neuronal activity, or various signaling pathways but were blocked by L-type voltage-sensitive calcium-channel blockers. These results indicate that in mature hippocampal neurons integrin engagement regulates expression of a subset of growth-related genes at least in part through effects on calcium influx. Accordingly, these synaptic adhesion receptors may play the same role in maintaining an adult, differentiated state in brain as they do in other tissues and changes in integrin activation and/or engagement may contribute to dynamic changes in neurotrophin expression and to neuronal calcium signaling.
Dietary calcium intake in lactose maldigesting intolerant and tolerant African-American women.

Background: The relationship between lactose maldigestion, lactose intolerance, and calcium intake in premenopausal African American women is unknown.Objective: To determine how intolerance of lactose and dairy products affects intake of calcium in lactose maldigesting premenopausal African American women.Design: Dietary intake of calcium was assessed in 50 premenopausal lactose maldigesting African American women as determined by the breath hydrogen test. Twenty-six women were lactose intolerant and 24 were lactose tolerant by self-reports.Results: The average intake of calcium in lactose maldigesting and intolerant women was significantly lower than in lactose tolerant women (388 ± 150 mg/day vs. 763 ± 333 mg/day, p < 0.0001, t test). Neither group reached the newly established Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for calcium (1,000 mg/day). Major source of dietary calcium in lactose tolerant women were milk and dairy products (45%), and mixed foods containing calcium from non-dairy sources (30%). In lactose ...