cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of functional mitral regurgitation during acute myocardial ischemia

Abstract The mechanism and temporal manifestation of functional mitral regurgitation after acute myocardial ischemia were examined in eight dogs. Regional ischemia was produced by selective micro-embolization of the left circumflex coronary artery. Mitral regurgitation and regional left ventricular wall motion abnormalities were evaluated with use of Doppler color flow mapping and two-dimensional echocardiography, respectively. Measurements were made at baseline (before embolization) and were repeated at 30 min and 3 weeks after embolization. Mitral regurgitation developed in all dogs 30 min after embolization and completely subsided 3 weeks later. There was no evidence of mitral valve prolapse, mitral anulus dilation or left ventricular segmental dyskinesia at any time during the study. Regional wall motion analysis showed only hypokinesia of the left ventricular segment overlying the papillary muscle at 30 min with subsequent normalization of the segment at 3 weeks. Mitral regurgitation was accompanied by an increase of the end-systolic distance between the mitral anulus plane and the point of coaptation of the mitral leaflets. This distance was 0.5 ± 0.1 cm at baseline, increased to 0.9 ± 0.1 cm 30 min after the embolization (p These data indicate that mitral valve prolapse, mitral anulus dilation and regional left ventricular dyskinesia are not necessary conditions for the development of functional mitral regurgitation after acute myocardial ischemia. Instead, hypokinesia of the ventricular segment overlying the papillary muscle and leading to retraction of the mitral leaflets toward the apex appears to be a sufficient condition for incomplete leaflet coaptation.
Biosynthetic pattern of murine toxins in Pasteurella pestis cells and extracts

1. 1. The level of the protein toxins A and B within Pasteurella pestis cells is a function of the growth stage of the culture. Cells from midlog phase (27°) have minimal amounts of toxic material. Two generations later (early stationary phase) the toxic content has increased 7-to 10-fold. At this stage, the cells contain toxin amounting to 5–10 % of their total soluble protein. A small increase in toxin content is observed when the cells are grown at 37°. 2. 2. The low toxin content of young cell extracts is apparently not due to lower protein synthesizing capacity, since they are the most active in amino acid incorporation in vitro. Extracts from 37° grown cells on the other hand exhibit low amino acid incorporating activity, presumably due to limiting amounts of factor(s) in the soluble protein fraction. 3. 3. Pulse and pulse-chase experiments indicate that the two proteins are synthesized simultaneously and independently of one another. No interconversion between toxin A (mol. wt. 240 000) and toxin B (mol. wt. 120 000) by dissociation or dimerization, respectively, has been observed in the cells. 4. 4. Since toxic activity has been found associated with the membrane, and cells containing low levels of these proteins are quite fragile, the possibility that they constitute components of the cell envelope is discussed.
Exact laws for sums of ratios of order statistics from the Pareto distribution

Consider independent and identically distributed random variables {Xnk, 1 ≤ k ≤ m, n ≤ 1} from the Pareto distribution. We select two order statistics from each row, Xn(i) ≤ Xn(j), for 1 ≤ i < j ≤ = m. Then we test to see whether or not Laws of Large Numbers with nonzero limits exist for weighted sums of the random variables Rij = Xn(j)/Xn(i).
Industry and the primary classroom

Some ‘work in progress’ is shared with us which raises pertinent questions about the role of the primary curriculum in exploring industry. The author skilfully shows how key organising concepts were employed to assist student teachers plan work in this area. The Editors would welcome more case studies from teachers involved in such developments.
So-called benign fibrous histiocytoma: Report of a case

Abstract This is a report of a case of benign fibrous histiocytoma involving the spine of a 13-year-old boy.
HF radar observations of surface circulation off Bodega Bay (northern California, USA)

[1] Two high-frequency radar stations (CODAR) were installed along the northern California coast in May 2001. Comparisons of radar data with acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) current data and near-surface drifter tracks indicate considerable agreement, with minimum RMS differences of order 0.05–0.15 m/s and average drifter-HF-radar track separation rates of 5 ± 3 km/d. Radar data resolve the three main sources of intraseasonal current variability in the area: (1) upwelling/relaxation dynamics, (2) tidal and diurnal forcing, and (3) inertial currents. Subtidal fluctuations are the largest component of variability, accounting for 45–75% of the variance. Wind-driven dynamics are the dominant source of this subtidal variability (67% of subtidal variability). Both upwelling and relaxation periods exhibit consistent patterns of surface velocity, with nearshore currents being slower and more poleward than offshore currents, which are strongly equatorward. Analysis of tidal and inertial variability indicate that current fluctuations are polarized toward clockwise rotation and are generally weaker and more linearly polarized near the coast. M2 tidal current ellipses switch direction of rotation at the shelf break, suggesting the presence of internal tidal waves. Currents in all frequency bands are deflected and accelerated around Pt. Reyes, and there are indications of increased current variability and changes in flow direction near Cordell Bank. The presence of considerable cross-shore and alongshore gradients in the strength and direction of surface flow patterns, and in particular weak poleward currents over the inner shelf, could have important consequences for plankton retention in the area.
Motivation in Agents

The Humean theory of motivation remains the default position in much of the contemporary literature in meta-ethics, moral psychology, and action theory. Yet despite its widespread support, the theory is implausible as a view about what motivates agents to act. More specifically, my reasons for dissatisfaction with the Humean theory stem from its incompatibility with what I take to be a compelling model of the role of motivating reasons in first-person practical deliberation and third-person action explanations. So after first introducing some assumptions about the nature of agency in section one, I will turn to articulating and defending this account of motivating reasons in sections two through four of the paper. Section five then provides some background on the Humean theory before I argue directly against it in section six and critically examine the leading arguments for the view in section seven. Given limitations of space, however, I save the task of developing a positive anti-Humean view for another occasion.
Unruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm in an asymptomatic patient

Abstract A 75-year-old asymptomatic male patient was referred for transesophageal echocardiography after detection of a diastolic murmur on routine physical examination and widened mediastinum on a chest radiograph. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a large, unruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, filled with a thrombus and spontaneous echocontrast and protruding into the right atrium. Unruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysms are rare, frequently asymptomatic, and not associated with any physical findings. The diagnosis was made by transesophageal echocardiography and was confirmed by angiography and at surgery. The need for corrective surgery of asymptomatic, incidentally diagnosed sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is not well defined in the absence of precise knowledge of its natural history. We provide a description of the natural history and rationale for early corrective surgery of sinus of Valsalva aneurysms in asymptomatic patients. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2002;15:668-70.)
An Analysis of Actin Delivery in the Acrosomal Process of Thyone

The acrosomal process of the sea cucumber Thyone briareus can extend 90 microm in 10 s, but an epithelial goldfish keratocyte can only glide a few microns in the same time. Both speeds reflect the rate of extension of an actin network. The difference is in the delivery of actin monomers to the polymerization region. Diffusion supplies monomers fast enough to support the observed speed of goldfish keratocytes, but previous models have indicated that the acrosomal process of Thyone extends too rapidly for diffusion to keep up. Here we reexamine the assumptions made in earlier models and present a new model, the Actin Reconcentration Model, that includes more biological detail. Salt and water fluxes during the acrosomal reaction and the nonideality of the cytoplasm are particularly significant for actin delivery. We find that the variability of the acrosomal growth curve can be explained by the salt and water fluxes, and that nonideality magnifies the effect of actin concentration changes. We calculate the speed of process growth using biologically relevant parameters from the literature and find that the predictions of the model fall among the experimental data.
Acute Lobular (Membranoproliferative) Glomerulonephritis with Hyperuricemia and Obstructive Uric Acid Nephropathy

Obstructive uric acid nephropathy, a potentially lethal complication of acute renal failure due to glomerulonephritis, is described and illustrated. The factors leading to its occurrence and the reasons it may be undetected are detailed. Lobular glomerulonephritis is also briefly defined once again.
Structure and petrology of pelitic schist in the Fremont Peak pendant, northern Gabilan Range, California

The Fremont Peak pendant is the largest of many small exposures of “Sur Series” metasedimentary rocks in the northern Gabilan Range which lies along the eastern edge of the central Salinian block, California Coast Ranges. Two periods of folding and three periods of metamorphism were identified in pelitic schist. Early east-west– trending, isoclinal folding accompanied by sillimanite-grade metamorphism formed the dominant structural features. This dynamothermal event predated emplacement of mid-Cretaceous (105 to 110 m.y.) granitic plutons. Two later periods of thermal metamorphism, during emplacement of granitic plutons, locally reached garnet-cordierite grade with estimated maximum temperature and pressure of 700 to 750 °C and 4.0 kb (±1 kb). Mineral assemblages and calculations suggest that water pressure may have been significantly lower than total pressure in the pelitic schist. A second period of north-south–trending open folding occurred during emplacement of one of the granitic plutons. The structural and metamorphic sequence in the Fremont Peak pendant is very similar to other sequences in other exposed areas in the central Salinian block.
Peroxidase involvement in lignification in water‐impermeable seed coats of weedy leguminous and malvaceous species

Abstract. The development of water impermeable seed coats of two members each of the leguminoseae family [Crotalaria spectabilis Roth, Sesbania exaltata (Raf) Cory] and the malvaceae family [Anoda cristata (L.) Schlecht, Abutilon theophrasti Medic.] was investigated. Highest peroxidase (POD) activity of Anoda and Abutilon seed coat extracts was highly correlated with the developmental stages when soluble phenolics were maximally converted into lignin. Although extensive lignification occurred during seed coat development in both legumes, the patterns of POD activity, soluble phenolic levels and time of lignification were different from those of the malvaceous species. POD activity levels in developing coats of the malvaceous seeds increased as phenolics decreased. Both POD activity and phenolic levels decreased during seed coat development of the legumes. POD was immunocytochemically and immunochemically detected in seed coats of all four species; however, results for polyphenol oxidase were negative. The results confirmed POD involvement in lignification of leguminous and malvaecous species and support and extend our earlier view that POD is involved in lignin formation during development of impermeable seed coats.
Enhanced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 production in aging mice exaggerates cardiac depression during endotoxemia.

Introduction: Endotoxemia and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome have a significant impact on post-surgery outcome, particularly in the elderly. The cytokine response to endotoxin is altered by aging. We tested the hypothesis that vulnerability to endotoxemic cardiac depression increases with aging due to age-related augmentation of myocardial inflammatory responses. Methods: Adult (4 to 6 months) and old (20 to 22 months) C57/BL6 mice were treated with endotoxin (0.5 mg/kg, iv). Left ventricle (LV) function was assessed using a microcatheter system. Chemokines and cytokines in plasma and myocardium were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mononuclear cells in the myocardium were examined using immunofluorescence staining. Results: Old mice displayed worse LV function (cardiac output: 3.0±0.2 mL/min versus 4.4±0.3 mL/min in adult mice) following endotoxin treatment. The exaggerated cardiac depression in old mice was associated with higher levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) in plasma and myocardium, greater myocardial accumulation of mononuclear cells, and greater levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in plasma and myocardium. Neutralization of MCP-1 resulted in greater reductions in myocardial mononuclear cell accumulation and cytokine production, and greater improvement in LV function in old mice while neutralization of KC had a minimal effect on LV function. Conclusion: Old mice have enhanced inflammatory responses to endotoxemia that lead to exaggerated cardiac functional depression. MCP-1 promotes myocardial mononuclear cell accumulation and cardiodepressant cytokines production, and plays an important role in the endotoxemic cardiomyopathy in old mice. The findings suggest that special attention is needed to protect the heart in the elderly with endotoxemia.
Vocal cord dysfunction: an update.

Objectives To review the clinical manifestations of vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) and to discuss new developments in the diagnosis and treatment. Data Sources PubMed searches were performed for articles published regarding presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment options of VCD using the keywords vocal cord dysfunction, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and management . Study Selection Articles were selected based on their relevance to the topic of this review. The newest developments in VCD were defined by articles published in the past 8 years. Results The exact cause and pathogenesis remain unclear, although laryngeal hyperresponsiveness likely plays a role in a subset of patients. Certain findings on spirometry are often interpreted to suggest VCD, but recent studies have had varying results on how useful these are in the diagnosis of VCD. Diagnosis is made by direct visualization of the adduction of the vocal cords via rhinolaryngoscopy, but the method used to provoke symptoms and adduction varies. Other noninvasive tests have been evaluated as well. Conclusion The early recognition and treatment of VCD are imperative to prevent the misdiagnosis and mismanagement of asthma. In addition, VCD and asthma can occur together. The origin and pathogenesis of VCD need to be better defined. More studies comparing the provocation methods during laryngoscopy may be helpful in further standardizing a diagnostic test. Further research is needed to determine whether other noninvasive tests are as effective in diagnosing VCD as laryngoscopy.
Downlink Performance Evaluation of Centralized and Distributed Antenna Systems in Multicell Multiuser Spatial Multiplexing Environment

In this paper, we compare the downlink performance of multiuser spatial multiplexing of centralized antenna system (CAS) and distributed antenna system (DAS) in interference-limited cellular scenario. We present the implementation of multiuser spatial multiplexing in a multicell system based on selection diversity. And two user scheduling strategies based on proportional fairness is proposed too. In a typical MIMO configuration (base station with 4 antennas, mobile station with 2 antenna), we achieve the evaluation of spectrum efficiency and user throughput for both CAS and DAS. The results show that compared with CAS with same number of transmit antennas, DAS can support multiuser diversity better and significantly improve the system capacity and cumulate distribution of user throughput.
Prevention of surgical site infections in high-risk patients with laparotomy incisions using negative-pressure therapy.

Abstract Background This study evaluates the efficacy of negative-pressure therapy (NPT) in preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) in high-risk surgical oncology patients. Methods A retrospective analysis of 191 operations for colorectal, pancreatic, or peritoneal surface malignancies was performed. Incisional NPT was used in patients with multiple SSI risk factors. Rates of SSIs were compared with patients treated with a standard sterile dressing (SSD). Results NPT was used in 104 patients, whereas SSDs were used in 87 patients. Despite being at an increased risk of SSI, patients treated with NPT developed fewer superficial incisional SSIs compared with SSD patients (6.7% vs 19.5%, P = .015). In a subgroup analysis of clean-contaminated cases, NPT was associated with fewer superficial incisional SSIs (6.0% vs 27.4%, P = .001), fewer total SSIs (16.0% vs 35.5%, P = .011), and fewer wound openings for any reason (16.0% vs 35.5%, P = .011). Conclusions Our findings suggest that NPT decreases SSIs in high-risk surgical oncology patients.
Reionization of the Universe

One would not have expected just a few years ago that we could observationally start probing the reionization process in the redshift range 6 - 30. This is indeed extremely exciting, because we are in a completely uncharted water. I will review some of the latest developments on cosmological reionization and suggest, in a somewhat more personal way, that the universe may be reionized twice in order to paint a picture that is consistent with all observations, including SDSS quasar observations, WMAP CMB experiment and Lyα forest observations.
Neighborhood Status Modality and Riot Behavior: An Analysis of the Detroit Disorders of 1967

(1971). Neighborhood Status Modality and Riot Behavior: An Analysis of the Detroit Disorders of 1967. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 350-368.
Mechanical stimulation initiates cell-to-cell calcium signaling in ovine lens epithelial cells

Although abnormalities in calcium regulation have been implicated in the development of most forms of cataract, the mechanisms by which Ca2+ is regulated in the cells of the ocular lens remain poorly defined. Cell-to-cell Ca2+ signaling was investigated in primary cultures of ovine epithelial cells using the Ca(2+)-reporter dye fura-2 and fluorescence microscopy. Mechanical stimulation of a single cell with a micropipette initiated a propagated increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ that spread from the stimulated cell through 2–8 tiers of surrounding cells. During this intercellular Ca2+ wave, cytosolic Ca2+ increased 2- to 12-fold from resting levels of approximately 100 nM. Nanomolar extracellular Ca2+ did not affect the cell-to-cell propagation of the Ca2+ wave, but reduced the magnitude of the cytosolic Ca2+ increases, which was most evident in the mechanically-stimulated cell. Depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores with thapsigargin eliminated the propagated intercellular Ca2+ wave, but did not prevent the cytosolic Ca2+ increase in the mechanically-stimulated cell, which required extracellular Ca2+ and was attenuated by the addition of the Ca2+ channel blockers Ni2+, Gd3+ and La3+ to the medium. These results are most easily explained by a mechanically-activated channel in the plasma membrane of the stimulated cell. The propagated increase in cytosolic Ca2+ appeared to be communicated to adjacent cells by the passage of an intracellular messenger other than Ca2+ through gap junction channels. However, if the plasma membrane of the mechanically-stimulated cell was ruptured such that there was loss of cytosolic contents, the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ in the surrounding cells was elicited by both a messenger passing through gap junction channels and by a cytosolic factor(s) diffusing through the extracellular medium. These results demonstrate the existence of intercellular Ca2+ signaling in lens cells, which may play a role in regulating cytosolic Ca2+ in the intact lens.
Numerical modeling of vacuum arc interruption based on the simplified plasma equations

The paper presents the numerical implementation of the state-variable model of the high current arc interruption. The differential equations governing the sheath development in vacuum plasma after the main frequency current zero (CZ) are coupled with the electrical circuit equations representing the power system and solved simultaneously using Advanced Continuous Simulation Language software (ACSL). The mathematical formulation of the are interruption is in the form of a black-box, i.e. the two "external" variables are voltage, u(t) and current, i(t). Other black-box variables are "internal", i.e. they are only needed to specify the physical conditions of the arc plasma. These internal variables are: plasma density, N/sub io/, its space distribution between contacts at CZ and its time decay due to diffusion, ion velocity, v/sub i/, time delay between the beginning of the Transient Recovery Voltage (TRV) and CZ, t/sub o/, and the equivalent arc diameter at current zero, D. >
Instructions for S&P authors using LATEX 2ε

This document provides instructions for installing and using the LaTeX 2e class file, sp.cls, and the BibTEX formatting file sp.bst. Note : This document was last updated on July 27, 2009. The full LaTeX package for this journal is downloadable from http://semantics-online.org/sp/sp-latex.zip . doi: 10.3765/sp.0.2
An application of the square root information filter to large-scale linear interconnected systems

In this paper it is demonstrated that application of the square root information filter can dramatically reduce the storage and computation involved with estimation of certain classes of large scale interconnected systems.
Manganese dioxide as a new cathode catalyst in microbial fuel cells

Abstract This study focused on manganese oxides with a cryptomelane-type octahedral molecular sieve (OMS-2) structure to replace platinum as a cathode catalyst in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Undoped (ud-OSM-2) and three catalysts doped with cobalt (Co-OMS-2), copper (Cu-OMS-2), and cerium (Ce-OMS-2) to enhance their catalytic performances were investigated. The novel OMS-2 cathodes were examined in granular activated carbon MFC (GACMFC) with sodium acetate as the anode reagent and oxygen in air as the cathode reagent. The results showed that after 400 h of operation, the Co-OMS-2 and Cu-OMS-2 exhibited good catalytic performance in an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The voltage of the Co-OMS-2 GACMFC was 217 mV, and the power density was 180 mW m−2. The voltage of the Cu-OMS-2 GACMFC was 214 mV and the power density was 165 mW m−2. The internal resistance (Rin) of the OMS-2 GACMFCs (18 ± 1 Ω) was similar to that of the platinum GACMFCs (17 Ω). Furthermore, the degradation rates of organic substrates in the OMS-2 GACMFCs were twice those in the platinum GACMFCs, which enhance their wastewater treatment efficiencies. This study indicated that using OMS-2 manganese oxides to replace platinum as a cathodic catalyst enhances power generation, increases contaminant removal, and substantially reduces the cost of MFCs.
Intraoperative photodynamic therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma: future or fad?

SUMMARY Malignant pleural mesothelioma is one of the most lethal cancers known to man, typically resulting in a life expectancy of approximately 1 year from the time of diagnosis. Surgery remains investigational in the treatment of this cancer, yet the treatments that appear to have the greatest potential to impact the course of the disease are those that are surgery-based. The goal of surgery, as part of a multimodal treatment plan, is to achieve a macroscopic complete resection of the cancer. There are two surgical approaches, extrapleural pneumonectomy and lung-sparing surgery. Extrapleural pneumonectomy is the most standardized approach and almost certainly achieves the most complete resection, leaving behind the least amount of microscopic disease. Essentially, no aspects of lung-sparing operations are standardized and all techniques are likely to leave behind more microscopic cancer than an extrapleural pneumonectomy, yet this approach has the principal advantage of avoiding pneumonectomy for what i...
Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction with Concurrent Renal Pelvic Calculi in the Pediatric Patient: A Long-term Followup

AbstractPurpose: We determined the long-term prognosis of the pediatric patient presenting with simultaneous ureteropelvic junction obstruction and a renal calculus.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all individuals younger than 17 years who presented to our institutions with simultaneous ureteropelvic junction obstruction and an ipsilateral renal calculus.Results: Simultaneous ureteropelvic junction obstruction with nonstruvite calculi was present in 22 patients, while 6 had struvite calculi. Median age at diagnosis was 11 years (range 5 to 16). During a median followup of 9 years (range 2 to 38) renal calculi recurred in 19 patients (68 percent), including 10 (36 percent) with 1 and 9 (32 percent) with 2 or more recurrences. Median time to first stone recurrence was 11 years (range 2 to 38). Of the 22 patients with nonstruvite calculi 15 (68 percent) had recurrence. An identifiable metabolic etiology for renal lithiasis was found in 13 of these patients (87 percent). In contrast, only 2 ...
Initial-layer theory and model equations of Volterra type

It is demonstrated here that there exist initial layers to singularly perturbed Volterra equations whose thicknesses are not of the order of magnitude of O(e), e → 0. It is also shown that the initial-layer theory is extremely useful because it allows one to construct the approximate solution to an equation, which is almost identical to the exact solution.
Transmission of psoroptic mites from bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) to domestic sheep, cattle and rabbits.

Psoroptic mites, thought to be Psoroptes ovis (Hering) and collected from bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) in southern New Mexico, were transferred to domestic sheep, rabbits and cattle. These mites established infestations in the ears of 5 of 6 rabbits but failed to establish lasting infestations on sheep. Reproducing colonies of mites were established with difficulty on cattle (3 of 11). The studies indicate that these mites are not adapted to cattle or domestic sheep.
A desirable graphical zenith air-navigation instrument

The author has previously described an instrument for zenith-finding by stars [see Trans. Amer. Geophys. Union, pp. 60–61, 1938]. That instrument (see Fig. 1) uses a right-angle zenith-inspection lens system like a reflex camera hung on gimbals, having in view three pointing by adjacent stars the zenith-locus on an appropriate star-map, checking precise time.
Quantifying sensitivity of local site response models to statistical variations in soil properties

We perform a combined stochastic-deterministic analysis of local site response using two computer codes, an equivalent linear analysis program SHAKE and a fully nonlinear finite element code SPECTRA. Our goal is to compare the relative sensitivity of the two codes to statistical variations in soil properties. For the case studies, we re-analyze two ground motion records in Lotung, Taiwan, and one ground motion record in Gilroy, California, utilizing the recorded ground motions at the site deterministically as input into the two codes while treating the uncertain soil parameters as random variables. We then obtain empirical cumulative distribution functions of the Arias intensity and acceleration spectrum intensity, two measures of cumulative damage, to compare the relative sensitivity of the two codes to variations in model parameters. We show that the two codes exhibit comparable sensitivities to statistical parameter variations, indicating that even in the presence of fluctuations in the soil parameter values it is possible to pursue a fully nonlinear site response analysis with SPECTRA and benefit from its superior accuracy.
SIVB 2003 Congress Symposium Proceeding: Plant Growth and Sugar Utilization in an Agitated, Thin-Film Liquid System for Micropropagation

Agitated layers of liquid medium were created on platform shakers in jars with 25–30 ml of medium (similar to conventional agar culture) rotating at 90 rpm. Thin films were scaled up in larger rectangular vessels on tilted shelves that periodically rock. In jars of liquid medium with a density of 180 explants per liter, multiplication rates of Hota tokudama var. ‘Newberry Gold’ were optimal with a media sucrose concentration of 5% [both with and without 1 μM benzyladenine (BA)]. Endogenous levels of soluble sugars were directly related to the concentration of sucrose in the medium. Three Hosta cultivars (‘Striptease’, ‘Minuteman’, and ‘Stiletto’) with plant densities of 40–200 explants per liter of medium were tested in larger, agitated, thin-film vessels in media with 5% sucrose and directly compared to agar medium. Higher rates of multiplication were observed in liquid than agar with the magnitude of the difference dependent on explant density. Pooled results for the three varieties with 200 explants per liter showed multiplication rates of 1.7x and 2.3x for agar and thin-film liquid, respectively. At 40 explants per liter, the multiplication rate was increased to 2.1x for agar and 3.4x for thin-film liquid. Sugar uptake was greater in liquid than agar and was greater in the higher densities, with the magnitude of the effect dependent on plant variety. Increased vessel size in the liquid, thin-film system and greater sugar uptake allowed more, larger plants to be harvested. Alocasia macrorrhizos was cultured in growth medium containing 1μM BA and 5% sucrose with plant densities in the range of 33–330 explants per liter. Dry weight and multiplication rate were greater in the liquid system than agar with the magnitude of the difference dependent on plant density. With approximately 165 explants per liter, and greater at the initiation of culture, plant density limited growth in both agar and liquid thin-film systems. In a multiplication medium (3 μM BA and 3 μM ancymidol) plant size was reduced by 50% and 60% (fresh weight) in liquid and agar, respectively. Initial density in the range of 165–330 explants per liter did not limit growth with the smaller plants in liquid or semisolid multiplication medium. Sugar uptake was greater in liquid than agar. While ample sugar was present in media for growth at any density on agar, sugar depletion was limiting growth at highest densities with the larger plants in liquid growth medium. In semisolid agar medium, sugar uptake by plants was more rapid than diffusion across the agar medium, resulting in non-equilibrium conditions following the culture cycle. In agitated, liquid medium, a greater transfer of sugars to plant tissue was related to accelerated growth.
Changing the Domestic Violence (Dis)Course: Moving from White Victim to Multi-Cultural Survivor

This article argues that discourse on the essential elements designed to intervene in and end violence in women’s lives is harmful to all battered women, especially to women of color because that discourse is racialized as white. Shifting from discourse centered in a white-dominated paradigm to one that is multi-cultural would result in improved and more effective legal remedies by changing the identity of the victim, increasing the efficacy of the empowerment continuum – the process by which one moves out of victim status – and providing the means to enable domestic violence legal practice to meet its goals. The history and meaning of a racialized domestic violence legal discourse is set out, followed by a discussion on the construction and racialization of the three discursive elements – identity, process, and practice. The rational behind changing the discourse is analyzed with assessments of who is in a position to take on the task and by addressing why the change can succeed. In its conclusion, the article used critical theories to explain how the three elements of identity, process and practice can be reconstructed to change the current discourse, effectively making it less white-focused and more multicultural.
Abstract 65: Soluble Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 as an Additional Source of Blood Pressure Regulation within the Kidney

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a transmembrane carboxypeptidase that degrades angiotensin II (AngII) to Ang(1-7). This membrane-bound enzyme can be cleaved by metalloproteinases such as ADAM17, releasing the catalytically active ectodomain to generate soluble ACE2. The objective of this study is to determine if soluble ACE2, acting locally in the kidney, could modulate the blood pressure (BP) response to AngII infusion. In order to isolate the actions of ACE2 in the kidney from systemic tissues, we utilized kidney cross-transplantation. We studied male (129/SvEv x C57BL/6)F1 ACE2 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. Kidney transplants were performed to generate 4 experimental groups: 1) WT, 2) kidney ACE2KO, 3) systemic ACE2KO, and 4) total ACE2KO. Mean arterial BPs (MAP) were measured with radiotelemetry at baseline and during a 2-week infusion of AngII (1ug/kg/min). Enzymatic activity was determined using an ACE2-specific quenched fluorescent substrate assay. Total ACE2KO mice had an enhanced hypertensive response to AngII compared to WT mice (152±6 vs.144±7 mmHg; p=0.03), consistent with our previous findings of enhanced susceptibility to AngII hypertension in mice globally deficient in ACE2. The presence of ACE2 in either the kidney or systemic tissues restored MAPs to levels similar to the WT group (kidney ACE2KO 140±7mmHg, systemic ACE2 KO 140±5 mmHg, p Our studies demonstrate that restoration of ACE2 in either the kidney or systemic tissues is sufficient to abrogate the exaggerated hypertensive response to chronic AngII infusion. Soluble ACE2 delivered to the kidney may be an additional source of ACE2 to act within the kidney since the cells produce no ACE2 locally in kidney KO mice. Our studies highlight a possible role of soluble ACE2 in BP regulation.
Development of a Chest Wall Protector Effective in Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death by Chest Wall Impact (Commotio Cordis).

Objective Commotio cordis, sudden death with chest impact, occurs clinically despite chest wall protectors worn in sports. In an experimental model of commotio cordis, commercially available chest wall protectors failed to prevent ventricular fibrillation (VF). The goal of the current investigation was to develop a chest wall protector effective in the prevention of commotio cordis. Design In the Tufts experimental model of commotio cordis the ability of chest protectors to prevent VF was assessed. Impacts were delivered with a 40-mph lacrosse ball, timed to the vulnerable period for VF. Intervention A chest wall protector or no chest wall protector (control) was randomly assigned to be placed over the chest. Four iterative series of 2 to 4 different chest wall material combinations were assessed. Materials included 3 different foams (Accelleron [Unequal Technologies, Glen Mills, PA], closed cell high density foam; Airilon [Unequal Technologies, Glen Mills, PA], closed cell low density soft foam; and an open cell memory foam) that were adhered to a layer of TriDur (Unequal Technologies, Glen Mills, PA), a flexible elastomeric coated aramid that was bonded to a semirigid polypropylene polymer (ImpacShield, Unequal Technologies, Glen Mills, PA). Main outcome measure Induction of VF by chest wall impact was the primary outcome. Results Of 80 impacts without chest protectors, 43 (54%) resulted in VF. Ventricular fibrillation with chest protectors ranged from a high of 60% to a low of 5%. Of 12 chest protectors assessed, only 3 significantly lowered the risk of VF compared with impacts without chest protectors. These 3 chest protectors were combinations of Accelleron, Airilon, TriDur, and ImpacShield of different thicknesses. Protection increased linearly with the thicker combinations. Conclusions Effective protection against VF with chest wall protection can be achieved in an experimental model of commotio cordis. Clinical relevance Chest protector designs incorporating these novel materials will likely be effective in the prevention of commotio cordis on the playing field.
Histopathologic study of X- linked cone- rod dystrophy (CORDX1) caused by a mutation in the RPGR exon ORF15

Purpose: To evaluate the donor retina of a patient with X- linked cone- rod dystrophy caused by an RPGR exon ORF15 mutation. Design: Histopathologic study of the retina. Methods: The eye of a 69- year- old man was fixed at 1.6 hours postmortem and processed for histopathology and immunocytochemistry. Results: Grossly, the macula was atrophic with a bull' s- eye appearance. The remaining retina showed postmortem edema but no intraretinal pigment. Microscopically, the macular retinal pigment epithelium was absent focally and had pigmentary changes elsewhere. Cones and rods were absent from the perifovea and reduced with shortened outer segments elsewhere in the macula. In the remainder of the retina, cones but not rods were reduced and all photoreceptor outer segments were shortened. Conclusions: The abnormalities in both cone and rod photoreceptors confirm the importance of RPGRin both cell types but leaves unresolved how various exon ORF15 mutations lead to different clinical phenotypes.
38 THE PREVALENCE OF POLYPHARMACY IN A SOUTHERN METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY BASED AMBULATORY CARE CLINIC

Polypharmacy, defined as consumption of 5 or more medications on a long term basis, has become increasingly prevalent, especially in the elderly population. Medications include prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as vitamins and herbal supplements taken on a weekly or daily basis. The charts of patients attending a large urban clinic in a metropolitan area in the southeast U.S. were reviewed to identify the prevalence of polypharmacy. Out of the 1123 charts of patients age 65 or over, 320 charts (107 male, 212 female) were randomly selected and considered eligible for the study. Fifty-one percent of the patients were African-American, 40% were Caucasian. Only those medical records that occurred within a one-year period from the date of the last clinic visit were used to gather the following information: patient9s demographics, medical history, and medication record. Complete information was obtained on 290 patients and used in the statistical analysis of the data. Forty-nine percent of our patient population was on polypharmacy. Significant predictors of polypharmacy included the number of diagnoses, such as hypertension and diabetes, and patient gender. Women took significantly more pills than men (F = 17.217, p
Outward currents in longitudinal colonic muscle cells contribute to spiking electrical behavior.

Electrical events in longitudinal and circular muscles of the colon are different. Longitudinal muscles generate action potentials superimposed upon small depolarizations termed myenteric potential oscillations and circular muscles generate slow wave events that persist for several seconds. Differences between circular and longitudinal muscles may be related to the potassium channels these cells express. We have studied Ca(2+)-dependent and voltage-dependent K currents of isolated longitudinal cells with the whole cell patch-clamp technique. Test depolarizations positive to -40 mV yielded a transient inward current followed by a large sustained outward current. Blockade of the inward Ca2+ current reduced the amplitude of the outward current. Outward current was also reduced by tetraethylammonium (TEA; 1 mM), suggesting that a component of the outward current is Ca2+ dependent. After blockade of the Ca(2+)-dependent outward current, a voltage- and time-dependent component of outward current remained. The activation and inactivation properties and sensitivity to TEA and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) were characterized. The voltage-dependent outward current in longitudinal cells had different properties than the voltage-dependent K currents in circular muscle cells (i.e., more negative inactivation, less sensitivity to 4-AP). TEA (1-5 mM) increased the amplitude and frequency of action potentials in intact longitudinal muscles; 4-AP (1 mM) had little effect on electrical activity of longitudinal muscles. The data suggest that differences in electrical behavior of the 2 muscle layers may be related to the expression of different species of K channels.
Effects of Lifestyle Changes and Testosterone Therapy on Erectile Function

Sedentary lifestyle together with comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension are considered risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED). Behavioral changes and lifestyle modifications are considered a cornerstone of any strategy designed to ameliorate comorbidities, producing healthy changes in body composition, and reducing the risk of ED. Exercise coupled with changes in diet, reduction in alcohol consumption, and cessation of smoking contributes to improved risk profile and overall reduction in medical and psychosocial burden of ED. In this chapter, we summarize the data available in the literature on the risk factors for ED and provide discussion on the potential approaches to reducing the risk of ED by promoting changes in lifestyle. We suggest that changes in lifestyle alone may be insufficient to bring about necessary changes in body composition to ameliorate the aforementioned comorbidities. Thus, therapeutic interventions may be necessary, in combination with lifestyle and behavioral changes. Based on recent findings in the clinical literature, we suggest that testosterone (T) therapy, bariatric surgery, and other pharmacological interventions are potential therapeutic strategies to treatment of overweight and obesity, improving body composition and ameliorating symptoms of comorbidities and reducing the risk of erectile function. Health care providers and clinicians are urged to encourage their patients to combine lifestyle modification with therapeutic interventions, when indicated, to improve overall health and reduce the risk of ED.
Impact of imidacloprid treated seed and foliar insecticide on Hessian fly abundances in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat, Triticum aestivum L., is a major crop of economic importance throughout the United States. The Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), is a common economically important pest, feeding on wheat in the larval stage through the southeastern US. It is a multi-voltine species, with generation number dependent on temperature. Growers rely on various management approaches such as resistant wheat varieties, crop rotation, timely plantings, and insecticide treatments to control this destructive pest. The objectives for this research were to show the efficacy of a common insecticide seed treatment (imidacloprid) and a common foliar insecticide spray (lambda-cyhalothrin) on Hessian fly abundance in wheat. Four experiments were conducted over two years in North Carolina, in order to manipulate Hessian fly abundance. Small plot studies were designed with whole plot treatments including non-treated and imidacloprid treated wheat seed, and subplots split with a semi-monthly foliar lambda-cyhalothrin application or no foliar insecticide. The number of Hessian fly eggs present on leaves, number of larvae, number of pupae, and tiller density were counted for the fall generation(s) and all plots were sprayed with foliar insecticide during the spring. Wheat seed treated with imidacloprid had fewer eggs, larvae, and pupae compared to other non-treated seed. With one exception during 2014, foliar spray applications did not reduce egg, larvae, and pupae abundance. Warmer temperatures during 2015 experiments provided conditions that extended Hessian fly presence, allowing multiple fall generations to infest wheat. Unlike 2014 experiments, foliar sprays in 2015 experiments provided some protection from Hessian fly.
Case Study: Fermentation of frozen whole-plant corn silage and high-moisture corn after thawing

The study objectives were to evaluate (1) the effect of thawing unfermented whole-plant corn (WPC; Exp. 1) on fermentation capacity after several months of frozen storage, and (2) the effect of temperature on fermentation profile of thawed high-moisture corn (HMC; Exp. 2) stored frozen for a longer period and then fermented at 2 ambient temperatures. Unfermented WPC and HMC samples were obtained from the University of Wisconsin–Madison Agricultural Research Station (Arlington, WI) at harvest, immediately frozen, and stored at −20°C for 4 or 17 mo, respectively. Both, WPC and HMC samples were thawed, homogenized, and divided into 24 or 33 subsamples, respectively. Subsamples were vacuum sealed in plastic bags and randomly assigned to treatments with 3 replications each. Experiment 1 treatments received 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 28 d of fermentation. Experiment 2 treatments were mini-silos fermenting in the dark either at warm (at room temperature 20°C; WR) or cold (in the refrigerator set for 3°C; CD) temperatures and allowed to ferment for 1, 3, 7, 14, or 28 d, plus 3 random subsamples analyzed as fresh samples. Gradual increases in lactate and acetate concentrations were observed in Exp. 1, along with a gradual decrease in pH (P = 0.001). A temperature × ensiling time interaction was observed (P < 0.001) in Exp. 2 for all fermentation profile measurements. This was related to fermentation occurring in WR but not in CD treatments. These findings suggest that WPC and HMC maintain fermentation capacity upon thawing even after being frozen for a prolonged period in storage, but fermentation will not occur until warm temperature is reached.
Multiple particle tracking study of thermally-gelling nanoemulsions.

We perform multiple particle tracking (MPT) on a thermally-gelling oil-in-water nanoemulsion system. Carboxylated and plain polystyrene probes are used to investigate the role of colloidal probe size and surface chemistry on MPT in the nanoemulsion system. As temperature increases, hydrophobic groups of PEG-based gelators (PEGDA) partition into the oil/water interface and bridge droplets. This intercolloidal attraction generates a wide variety of microstructures consisting of droplet-rich and droplet-poor phases. By tailoring the MPT colloidal probe surface chemistry, we can control the residence of probes in each domain, thus allowing us to independently probe each phase. Our results show stark differences in probe dynamics in each domain. For certain conditions, the mean squared displacement (MSD) can differ by over four orders of magnitude for the same probe size but different surface chemistry. Carboxylated probe surface chemistries result in “slippery” probes while plain polystyrene probes appear to tether to the nanoemulsion gel network. We also observe probe hopping between pores in the gel for carboxylated probes. Our approach demonstrates that probes with different surface chemistries are useful in probing the local regions of a colloidal gel and allows the measurement of local properties within structurally heterogeneous hydrogels.