cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analytic Model of Coax-Fed Printed Metasurfaces and Analysis of Antenna Parameters

We present a model for waveguide-backed metasurface antennas fed by one or more coaxial ports and compute key antenna parameters using the model. The metasurface antenna consists of a coax-fed planar waveguide/cavity embedded with subwavelength-sized metamaterial radiators that convert energy from the guided mode into a radiated wave. Designing a metasurface requires tailoring the geometry of the individual metamaterial elements and arranging them over the aperture to achieve a desired radiation pattern—a typically cumbersome and time-consuming task when performed with full-wave solvers. In recent work, a coupled-dipole approach has been applied to modeling metasurfaces that significantly accelerates the design process by avoiding reliance on full-wave simulations or experimental trials. In this article, we extend the coupled-dipole model of a metasurface by including the analytic model of a coaxial port. Using the reaction and equivalent circuit model of a coaxial-to-waveguide transition, we also propose an efficient method to compute the input impedance of a metasurface, enabling the calculation of gain and efficiency. Close agreement between the proposed model and full-wave studies is demonstrated. The proposed method can find utility as an effective tool for the design and optimization of metasurfaces for applications including wireless communication systems, imaging, and wireless power transfer.
Windows into Heaven, Mirrors for the Soul: How Icons Shape Identities among the Eastern Orthodox

Visit any Eastern Orthodox Christian church in the United States on a Sunday morning and one of the first things you are likely to notice are the icons. Painted on flat wooden surfaces with vibrant...
Logical constructivism, modal logic, and metaphysics: a reply to Professor Pruss' ``Professor Lucas' second epistemic way''

Knowledge of Philosophy exists only to the extent that there are logics of metaphysics, logics of ethics, and logics of epistemology. One thus commits the monologic fallacy by committing oneself to the position that there is only one correct logic. Applications of modal logics to metaphysics in order to prove existence theorems in philosophy of religion are better when done without appeal to KT, K4, or K5. Logical Constructivism is akin to constructivist metaphysical theories of mathematical objects in applying Ockham's razor to the logic used to construct existence theorems in metaphysics. Section II presents a concise summary of some results of this sort that I presented in this journal (1985, Volume 18, pp. 107-114, and 1997, Volume 42, pp. 143-162). Section III provides a sketch of the constructivist secondorder modal logic used to construct the results summarized in Section II, and, like Section II, connects the logic chosen and theorems proven with Logical Constructivist goals. Section IV then responds from a constructivist perspective to criticisms of these results presented in a more recent issue of this journal (1999, Volume 45, pp. 189-194).
Rendering the untellable, tellable: The cooperative work of face in conversational storytelling

Abstract Goffman’s concepts of face and face work, and his assertion that talk in face-to-face interaction is cooperative, are undertheorized and often critiqued. In an attempt to expand on these concepts, excerpts are analyzed from a single-teller narrative which evolves into a 13-minute conversational story about the relationship troubles of an absent third party. Analyzed for the verbal and nonverbal disruptions and subsequent adjustments and remedial actions manifested by participants, Conversation Analysis (CA) is employed to capture how threats to face surface and how they are recognized, cooperatively managed, and made tellable. Through the analysis, this paper addresses the perceived incommensurability between CA and Goffman’s notion of face, demonstrating the ways in which face is (1) a doing a doing, a situated presentation of self that serves narrative-advancing functions and renders talk tellable as threats to face arise and (2) an achievement comprised of moves that are tacitly cooperative, ambiguously cooperative, or uncooperatively cooperative.
Visualization of DNA Repair Proteins Interaction by Immunofluorescence.

Mammalian cells are constantly exposed to chemicals, radiations, and naturally occurring metabolic by-products, which create specific types of DNA insults. Genotoxic agents can damage the DNA backbone, break it, or modify the chemical nature of individual bases. Following DNA insult, DNA damage response (DDR) pathways are activated and proteins involved in the repair are recruited. A plethora of factors are involved in sensing the type of damage and activating the appropriate repair response. Failure to correctly activate and recruit DDR factors can lead to genomic instability, which underlies many human pathologies including cancer. Studies of DDR proteins can provide insights into genotoxic drug response and cellular mechanisms of drug resistance. There are two major ways of visualizing proteins in vivo: direct observation, by tagging the protein of interest with a fluorescent protein and following it by live imaging, or indirect immunofluorescence on fixed samples. While visualization of fluorescently tagged proteins allows precise monitoring over time, direct tagging in N- or C-terminus can interfere with the protein localization or function. Observation of proteins in their unmodified, endogenous version is preferred. When DNA repair proteins are recruited to the DNA insult, their concentration increases locally and they form groups, or “foci”, that can be visualized by indirect immunofluorescence using specific antibodies. Although detection of protein foci does not provide a definitive proof of direct interaction, co-localization of proteins in cells indicates that they regroup to the site of damage and can inform of the sequence of events required for complex formation. Careful analysis of foci spatial overlap in cells expressing wild type or mutant versions of a protein can provide precious clues on functional domains important for DNA repair function. Last, co-localization of proteins indicates possible direct interactions that can be verified by co-immunoprecipitation in cells, or direct pulldown using purified proteins.
History of child maltreatment and excessive dietary and screen time behaviors in young adults: Results from a nationally representative study

Abstract Child maltreatment is common and has been associated with substance use addictions, yet few studies have examined associations with potentially addictive dietary and screen time behaviors. The goal of this study was to assess associations between retrospectively self-reported child maltreatment (sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect) and excessive self-reported dietary (sugar sweetened beverage and fast food consumption) and screen time behaviors (television/video watching and leisure time computer use) in early adulthood, overall and by sex and race/ethnicity. Associations were examined using data from 10,813 participants 24–32 years old from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. We used predicted marginal proportions accounting for the complex sample design to obtain prevalence ratios (PRs) and adjusted for demographic characteristics and physical activity. In females, exposure to poly-maltreatment (2+ types of child maltreatment) was associated with excessive sugar sweetened beverage consumption, television/video watching, and leisure time computer use; in males, exposure to poly-maltreatment was associated with excessive sugar sweetened beverage consumption, television/video watching, and fast food consumption. Some associations were particularly strong in racial/ethnic minorities, especially Latina females (poly-maltreatment-sugar sweetened beverage association: aPR = 6.14, 95% CI:2.12, 17.75; poly-maltreatment-computer use association: aPR = 3.08, 95% CI:1.44, 6.58). These findings show that child maltreatment is associated with excessive dietary and screen time behaviors into adulthood, and these associations are present in racial/ethnic groups at high risk of cardiometabolic disease. Extension of an addiction paradigm to include dietary and screen time behaviors may inform health risks and disease prevention efforts in child maltreatment survivors.
Whether, when, and how to communicate genetic risk to minors: 'I wanted more information but I think they were scared I couldn't handle it'.

Genetic test results are often relevant not only to persons tested, but also to their children. Questions of whether, when, and how to disclose parental test results to children, particularly minors, can be difficult for parents to navigate. Currently, limited data are available on these questions from the perspective of minors. In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents affected by or at risk for hereditary cancer (N = 17) or Huntington's disease (N = 14) and their mature minor children aged 15-17 (N = 34). Parents and mature minors were interviewed separately. Genetic counselors (GCs; N = 19) were also interviewed. Most parents interviewed wanted to protect minors from genetic risk information (GRI) and feared minors would not be able to handle GRI. However, most mature minors reported they did not receive enough information and wished their parent was more forthcoming. Parents recommended taking time to process one's own test results before communicating with minors, and mature minors recommended parents communicate GRI in an honest, hopeful way. Most parents and GCs felt additional resources on communicating with minors about GRI and various genetic conditions are needed. This study includes the experiences and perspectives of a well-informed cohort, and results should be taken into careful consideration by parents, GCs, and others who are faced with communicating GRI to minors.
Resolution of bronchoconstriction with positive airway pressure after intravenous adenosine.

Abstract Adenosine is an endogenous nucleoside that plays a major role in the pathophysiology of airway diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is also an effective drug at terminating supraventricular tachycardia and used for pharmacological stress testing with a relatively safe side effect profile. There is a contraindication for the use of adenosine in patients with asthma and a caution to use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We present a case of a 63-year old female patient who was treated with adenosine and subsequently went into respiratory distress. She was placed on bilevel positive airway pressure and had rapid resolution of symptoms.
Carbon photochemical escape rates from the modern Mars atmosphere

Abstract We provide a comprehensive update of photochemical escape rates of atomic carbon from the present-day Martian atmosphere using a one-dimensional photochemical model and a Monte Carlo escape model. The photochemical model incorporates new results relevant to carbon photochemistry at Mars, including new cross sections for photodissociation of CO 2 into C and O 2 (Lu et al. 2014) and electron impact dissociation of CO (Ajello et al. 2019). We find the newly included channel of CO 2 photodissociation to be the largest contributor to C escape, at 34%–58%. CO photodissociation and CO + dissociative recombination, which have been discussed extensively in the literature, also show up as significant sources of hot C atoms, with respective contributions of 15%–23% and 7%–10%. Electron impact dissociation of CO 2 (11%–15%) and photoionization of CO (6%–20%) are also important channels. Overall, escape rates vary over 3– 11 × 1 0 23 s−1, with an increase of 70% at perihelion compared to aphelion, and a much larger increase of 133% at solar maximum compared to solar minimum. While these present escape rates give a total integrated escape of only 1.3 mbar of CO 2 when multiplied by 3.6 billion years, the better characterization of carbon photochemistry and escape from this study will enable us to more reliably extrapolate backwards in time to when conditions of the Martian atmosphere were significantly different from those of today.
Description of Candidatus Mesopelagibacter carboxydoxydans and Candidatus Anoxipelagibacter denitrificans: Nitrate-reducing SAR11 genera that dominate mesopelagic and anoxic marine zones

Abstract The diverse and ubiquitous members of the SAR11 lineage (Alphaproteobacteria) represent up to 30–40% of the surface and mesopelagic oceanic microbial communities. However, the molecular and ecological mechanisms that differentiate closely related, yet distinct, SAR11 members that often co-occur under similar environmental conditions remain speculative. Recently, two mesopelagic and oxygen minimum zone (OMZ)-associated subclades of SAR11 (Ic and IIa.A) were described using single-cell amplified genomes (SAGs) linked to nitrate reduction in OMZs. In this current study, the collection of genomes belonging to these two subclades was expanded with thirteen new metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), thus providing a more detailed phylogenetic and functional characterization of these subclades. Gene content-based predictions of metabolic functions revealed similarities in central carbon metabolism between subclades Ic and IIa.A and surface SAR11 clades, with small variations in central pathways. These variations included more versatile sulfur assimilation pathways, as well as a previously predicted capacity for nitrate reduction that conferred unique versatility on mesopelagic-adapted clades compared to their surface counterparts. Finally, consistent with previously reported abundances of carbon monoxide (CO) in surface and mesopelagic waters, subclades Ia (surface) and Ic (mesopelagic) have the genetic potential to oxidize carbon monoxide (CO), presumably taking advantage of this abundant compound as an electron donor. Based on genomic analyses, environmental distribution and metabolic reconstruction, we propose two new SAR11 genera, Ca. Mesopelagibacter carboxydoxydans (subclade Ic) and Ca. Anoxipelagibacter denitrificans (subclade IIa.A), which represent members of the mesopelagic and OMZ-adapted SAR11 clades.
Existing Crisis Standards of Care Triage Protocols May Not Significantly Differentiate Between Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Who Require Intensive Care

Objectives To determine how several existing crisis standards of care triage protocols would have distinguished between patients with coronavirus disease 2019 requiring intensive care. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Single urban academic medical center. Patients One-hundred twenty patients with coronavirus disease 2019 who required intensive care and mechanical ventilation. Interventions None. Measurements and main results The characteristics of each patient at the time of ICU triage were used to determine how patients would have been prioritized using four crisis standards of care protocols. The vast majority of patients in the cohort would have been in the highest priority group using a triage protocol focusing on Sequential Organ Failure Assessment alone. Prioritization based on Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and 1-year life expectancy would have resulted in only slightly more differentiation between patients. Prioritization based on Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and 5-year life expectancy would have added significant additional differentiation depending on how priority groups were defined. Conclusions There is considerable controversy regarding the use of criteria other than prognosis for short-term survival in initial allocation of critical care resources under crisis standards of care triage protocols. To the extent that initial triage protocols would not create sufficient differentiation between patients, effectively resulting in a first-come, first-served initial allocation of resources, it is important to focus on how resources would be reallocated in the event of ongoing scarcity.
Treponema denticola-Induced RASA4 Upregulation Mediates Cytoskeletal Dysfunction and MMP-2 Activity in Periodontal Fibroblasts.

The periodontal complex consists of the periodontal ligament (PDL), alveolar bone, and cementum, which work together to turn mechanical load into biological responses that are responsible for maintaining a homeostatic environment. However oral microbes, under conditions of dysbiosis, may challenge the actin dynamic properties of the PDL in the context of periodontal disease. To study this process, we examined host-microbial interactions in the context of the periodontium via molecular and functional cell assays and showed that human PDL cell interactions with Treponema denticola induce actin depolymerization through a novel actin reorganization signaling mechanism. This actin reorganization mechanism and loss of cell adhesion is a pathological response characterized by an initial upregulation of RASA4 mRNA expression resulting in an increase in matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity. This mechanism is specific to the T. denticola effector protein, dentilisin, thereby uncovering a novel effect for Treponema denticola-mediated RASA4 transcriptional activation and actin depolymerization in primary human PDL cells.
Does the importance of environmental issues within an industry affect the relationship between lean operations and corporate financial performance

Abstract Lean operations and environmental sustainability have been generally accepted to be complementary activities, although prior studies have not found consistent relationships between these factors and corporate financial performance. It has been proposed that these inconsistent findings might be due to industry-specific differences in sustainability. Thus, this study examines: (i) whether the level of leanness in companies is related to the importance of environmental sustainability and (ii) if the relationship between companies’ leanness and their financial performance is heightened by the importance of environmental issues inherent in their industries. To measure the importance of environmental issues in an industry, we employ the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) industry Environment Materiality Map. We use panel regression to analyze a sample containing 30,433 company-year observations from 2,223 companies in 77 unique industries, operating over the period from 2000 to 2019, and examine the relationships between company leanness (inventory leanness, capacity leanness, and property, plant, and equipment newness), environmental materiality, and financial performance. We find that three widely used operational levers (inventory leanness, capacity leanness, and newness) all relate to better financial performance. The study also determined that the level of environmental materiality in an industry significantly is related to two of these levers (capacity leanness and newness.) Additionally, for these two levers, their positive relationship with financial performance is heightened in industries with higher levels of environmental materiality.
Loneliness and Happiness

On a certain warm summer Sunday in 1892 Tony Buddenbrook, who has by then gone through two marriages, has supper with her brother, Thomas, and her sister-in-law in their magnificent new home in the Fischergrube. After supper the three of them sit together around a large table under the gas lamp. The two ladies are occupied with their needlework, while the Senator is fighting his daily battle with the newspaper which he finds — as his grandfather before him — insipid and dull. The windows are open and occasional distant noises puncture the quiet of the residential street. Then a troop of sailors passes by, their arms linked, smoking and singing. They are coming from a somewhat disreputable harbor tavern, and in their raucous mood they are looking for one even more disreputable. Then their hoarse voices fade away...
Machine learning models for lung cancer classification using array comparative genomic hybridization.

Abstract Array CGH is a recently introduced technology that measures changes in the gene copy number of hundreds of genes in a single experiment. The primary goal of this study was to develop machine learning models that classify non-small Lung Cancers according to histopathology types and to compare several machine learning methods in this learning task. DNA from tumors of 37 patients (21 squamous carcinomas, and 16 adenocarcinomas) were extracted and hybridized onto a 452 BAC clone array. The following algorithms were used: KNN, Decision Tree Induction, Support Vector Machines and Feed-Forward Neural Networks. Performance was measured via leave-one-out classification accuracy. The best multi-gene model found had a leave-one-out accuracy of 89.2%. Decision Trees performed poorer than the other methods in this learning task and dataset. We conclude that gene copy numbers as measured by array CGH are, collectively, an excellent indicator of histological subtype. Several interesting research directions are discussed.
Distribution and lateral mobility of GABA/benzodiazepine receptors on nerve cells

The distribution and mobility of GABA/benzodiazepine receptors has been examined on living nerve cells by fluorescence digital imaging and fluorescence photobleach recovery with 2 novel fluorescent derivatives of the benzodiazepines Ro7–1986 and 1012S. These fluorescent derivatives retain their high affinity for the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex with Ks of 79 and 85 nM, respectively. Digital fluorescence imaging of GABA/benzodiazepine receptors on rat spinal cord neurons maintained in culture reveal that, even in the absence of observable synaptic contact, GABA/benzodiazepine receptors are localized on the cell body in clusters of very high density. Receptor density on processes is lower than on cell bodies, although occasional areas of intense fluorescence were observed. Fluorescence photobleach recovery measurements show that 70% of the GABA/benzodiazepine receptors on the cell body and greater than 85% on the processes of rat spinal cord neurons are immobile. In comparison, voltage-gated sodium channels are diffusely distributed and very mobile on the cell body (D = 10(-9) cm2/sec). The results suggest that even in the absence of nerve-nerve cell contact, there are specific mechanisms that segregate GABA/benzodiazepine receptors to the neuronal cell body and control their lateral mobility.
Thermodynamics and kinetics of extracting zinc from zinc oxide ore by the ammonium sulfate roasting method

Thermodynamic analyses and kinetic studies were performed on zinc oxide ore treatment by (NH4)2SO4 roasting technology. The results show that it is theoretically feasible to realize a roasting reaction between the zinc oxide ore and (NH4)2SO4 in a temperature range of 573–723 K. The effects of reaction temperature and particle size on the extraction rate of zinc were also examined. It is found that a surface chemical reaction is the rate-controlling step in roasting kinetics. The calculated activation energy of this process is about 45.57 kJ/mol, and the kinetic model can be expressed as follows: 1 − (1 − α)1/3 = 30.85 exp(−45.57/RT)·t. An extraction ratio of zinc as high as 92% could be achieved under the optimum conditions.
Mechanisms of neuronal chloride accumulation in intact mouse olfactory epithelium.

When olfactory receptor neurons respond to odours, a depolarizing Cl− efflux is a substantial part of the response. This requires that the resting neuron accumulate Cl− against an electrochemical gradient. In isolated olfactory receptor neurons, the Na+–K+–2Cl− cotransporter NKCC1 is essential for Cl− accumulation. However, in intact epithelium, a robust electrical olfactory response persists in mice lacking NKCC1. This response is largely due to a neuronal Cl− efflux. It thus appears that NKCC1 is an important part of a more complex system of Cl− accumulation. To identify the remaining transport proteins, we first screened by RT-PCR for 21 Cl− transporters in mouse nasal tissue containing olfactory mucosa. For most of the Cl− transporters, the presence of mRNA was demonstrated. We also investigated the effects of pharmacological block or genetic ablation of Cl− transporters on the olfactory field potential, the electroolfactogram (EOG). Mice lacking the common Cl−/HCO3− exchanger AE2 had normal EOGs. Block of NKCC cotransport with bumetanide reduced the EOG in epithelia from wild-type mice but had no effect in mice lacking NKCC1. Hydrochlorothiazide, a blocker of the Na+–Cl− cotransporter, had only a small effect. DIDS, a blocker of some KCC cotransporters and Cl−/HCO3− exchangers, reduced the EOG in epithelia from both wild-type and NKCC1 knockout mice. A combination of bumetanide and DIDS decreased the response more than either drug alone. However, no combination of drugs completely abolished the Cl− component of the response. These results support the involvement of both NKCC1 and one or more DIDS-sensitive transporters in Cl− accumulation in olfactory receptor neurons.
Perception and the Categories: A Conceptualist Reading of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason

: Philosophers interested in Kant's relevance to contemporary debates over the nature of mental content—notably Robert Hanna and Lucy Allais—have argued that Kant ought to be credited with being the original proponent of the existence of ‘nonconceptual content’. However, I think the ‘nonconceptualist’ interpretations that Hanna and Allais give do not show that Kant allowed for nonconceptual content as they construe it. I argue, on the basis of an analysis of certain sections of the A and B editions of the Transcendental Deduction, for a ‘conceptualist’ reading of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason. My contention is that since Kant's notion of empirical intuition makes essential reference to the categories, it must be true for him that no empirical intuition can be given in sensibility independently of the understanding and its categories.
An Evaluation of Naloxone Use for Opioid Overdoses in West Virginia: A Literature Review.

Naloxone is a common treatment option for the reversal of an opioid overdose. The law regulating naloxone varies from state to state and therefore so does the drug’s availability. The state of Rhode Island has legalized naloxone for over-the-counter use while a number of states allow prescriptions to opioid abusers and family members. The medical community as a whole appears to be divided on the issue of availability to lay persons. This is largely due to a lack of information on this relatively new subject, as well as discrepancies within the existing naloxone research in regard to the use of naloxone among the general public. This literature review provides an objective examination of the pros and cons of increasing the availability of naloxone to the public, with an emphasis on the state of West Virginia (WV). Due to WV’s high rates of opioid abuse and overdose, the implications of increasing public accessibility to naloxone could be invaluable in the effort to reduce opioid related deaths. To this end, a WV law that has recently gone into effect allows emergency personnel and family members of opioid addicts to carry naloxone. Ongoing research investigations will determine the impact of this law in regard to the overall wellbeing of the residents of WV and the implications on future laws regulating naloxone use.
Physical examination of arteriovenous fistulae by a renal fellow: does it compare favorably to an experienced interventionalist?

Physical examination (PE) has been highlighted to detect vascular access stenosis with high degree of accuracy when performed by an interventional nephrologist (IN) with expertise in physical examination. This study examines the accuracy of PE compared with angiography when performed by a nephrology fellow (NF). It also compares NF results to that of IN. Didactic and hands-on PE training was provided to a renal fellow for 1 month during an interventional nephrology rotation. Forty-five and 142 consecutive cases of arteriovenous fistula dysfunction were examined by the NF and IN, respectively. Preprocedure PE was performed by the NF and IN and the finding secured in a sealed envelope. Angiography from the feeding artery to the right atrium was then performed. The images were reviewed by an independent interventionalist with expertise in endovascular dialysis access procedures and the diagnosis was rendered. The reviewer was blinded to the physical examination. Cohen’s Kappa was used as a measurement of the level of agreement beyond chance between the diagnosis made by physical examination and angiography. Outflow stenosis: NF [strong agreement (81%), Kappa value = 0.63]; IN [strong agreement (89%), Kappa score = 0.78]. Inflow stenosis: NF [strong agreement (80%), Kappa value = 0.56]; IN [strong agreement (83%), Kappa score = 0.55]. These differences between NF and IN were not significant. NF performed significantly better than the IN regarding central vein stenosis. NF [strong agreement (79%), Kappa value = 0.44]; IN [weak agreement (11%), Kappa value = 0.17]. An NF can be trained in physical examination and accurately detect and localize stenoses in a great majority of arteriovenous fistulae when compared with an IN. We suggest that nephrology training programs should place more emphasis on this aspect of vascular access education.
Isolation of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria Containing Molybdenum-Independent Nitrogenases from Natural Environments

ABSTRACT Seven diazotrophs that grow well under Mo-deficient, N2-fixing conditions were isolated from a variety of environments. These isolates fall in the γ subdivision of the classProteobacteria and have genes that encode the Mo nitrogenase (nitrogenase 1) and the V nitrogenase (nitrogenase 2). Four of the isolates also harbor genes that encode the iron-only nitrogenase (nitrogenase 3).
Regulation of CD8+ T Cell Responses to Retinal Antigen by Local FoxP3+ Regulatory T Cells

While pathogenic CD4 T cells are well known mediators of autoimmune uveoretinitis, CD8 T cells can also be uveitogenic. Since preliminary studies indicated that C57BL/6 mice were minimally susceptible to autoimmune uveoretinitis induction by CD8 T cells, the basis of the retinal disease resistance was sought. Mice that express β-galactosidase (βgal) on a retina-specific promoter (arrβgal mice) were backcrossed to mice expressing green fluorescent protein and diphtheria toxin receptor under control of the Foxp3 promoter (Foxp3-DTR/GFP mice), and to T cell receptor transgenic mice that produce βgal specific CD8 T cells (BG1 mice). These mice were used to explore the role of regulatory T cells in the resistance to retinal autoimmune disease. Experiments with T cells from double transgenic BG1 x Foxp3-DTR/GFP mice transferred into Foxp3-DTR/GFP x arrβgal mice confirmed that the retina was well protected from attempts to induce disease by adoptive transfer of activated BG1 T cells. The successful induction of retinal disease following unilateral intraocular administration of diphtheria toxin to deplete regulatory T cells showed that the protective activity was dependent on local, toxin-sensitive regulatory T cells; the opposite, untreated eye remained disease-free. Although there were very few Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the parenchyma of quiescent retina, and they did not accumulate in retina, their depletion by local toxin administration led to disease susceptibility. We propose that these regulatory T cells modulate the pathogenic activity of βgal-specific CD8 T cells in the retinas of arrβgal mice on a local basis, allowing immunoregulation to be responsive to local conditions.
Informed consent for clinical research in the emergency department

Informed consent serves as the basis for a partnership between patients and physicians as they attempt to find better methods of diagnosis and treatment. Despite the importance of informed consent, this is an area of research that is frequently overlooked. In fact, an improperly designed consent form is the most common reason research protocols are rejected or approval is delayed. The essential elements of informed consent and problems obtaining informed consent from patients is an emergency department are reviewed.
Adaptive control for non-negative and compartmental dynamical systems with applications to general anesthesia

Non-negative and compartmental dynamical system models are composed of homogeneous interconnected subsystems or compartments which exchange variable non-negative quantities of material with conservation laws describing transfer, accumulation, and elimination between the compartments and the environment. These models are widespread in biological and physiological sciences and play a key role in understanding these processes. In this paper, we develop a direct adaptive control framework for linear uncertain non-negative and compartmental systems. The proposed framework is Lyapunov-based and guarantees partial asymptotic set-point regulation; that is, asymptotic set-point stability with respect to part of the closed-loop system states associated with the plant. In addition, the adaptive controller guarantees that the physical system states remain in the non-negative orthant of the state space. Finally, a numerical example involving the infusion of the anesthetic drug propofol for maintaining a desired constant level of depth of anesthesia for non-cardiac surgery is provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Activation of α2-adrenoceptors causes inhibition of calcium channels but does not modulate inwardly-rectifying K+ channels in caudal raphe neurons

Abstract Many neurotransmitter receptors that interact with pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins, including the α 2 -adrenergic receptor, can modulate both voltage-dependent calcium channels and G protein-coupled inwardly-rectifying K + channels. Serotonergic neurons of the medulla oblongata (n. raphe obscurus, and n. raphe pallidus), which provide a major projection to sympathetic and motor output systems, receive a catecholaminergic input and express α 2 -adrenergic receptors. Therefore, we tested the effects of norepinephrine on voltage-dependent calcium channels and G protein-coupled inwardly-rectifying K + channels in neonatal raphe neurons using whole-cell recording in a brainstem slice preparation. Calcium channel currents were inhibited by norepinephrine in the majority of raphe neurons tested (88%) and in all identified tryptophan hydroxylase-immunoreactive (i.e., serotonergic) neurons. When tested in the same neurons, the magnitude of calcium current inhibition by norepinephrine (∼25%) was less than that induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (∼50%). The norepinephrine-induced calcium current inhibition was mediated by α 2 -adrenergic receptors; it was mimicked by UK 14 304, an α 2 -adrenergic receptor agonist and blocked by idazoxan, an α 2 -adrenergic receptor antagonist, but not affected by prazosin or propanolol ( α 1 and β adrenergic antagonists, respectively). Calcium current inhibition by norepinephrine was essentially eliminated following application of ω -Conotoxin GVIA and ω -Agatoxin IVA, indicating that norepinephrine modulated N- and P/Q-type calcium channels predominantly. Calcium current inhibition by norepinephrine was voltage-dependent and mediated by pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins. Thus, as expected, α 2 -adrenergic receptor activation inhibited N- and P/Q-type calcium currents in medullary raphe neurons via pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins. In parallel experiments, however, we found that norepinephrine had no effect on G protein-coupled inwardly-rectifying K + channels in any raphe neurons tested, despite the robust activation of those channels in the same neurons by 5-hydroxytryptamine. Together, these data indicate that α 2 -adrenergic receptors can modulate N- and P/Q-type calcium channels in caudal medullary raphe neurons but do not couple to the G protein-coupled inwardly-rectifying K + channels which are also present in those cells. This is in contrast to the effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor activation in caudal raphe neurons, and indicates a degree of specificity in the signalling by different pertussistoxin-sensitive G protein-coupled receptors to voltage-dependent calcium channels and G protein-coupled inwardly-rectifying K + channels even within the same cell system.
The role of thrombolytic therapy in pulmonary embolism

The presence of thrombus in the deep venous system is not normal. In some cases, it is well tolerated because it is not occlusive and because the body has an intrinsic ability to dissolve thrombus to an extent. Where a large amount of thrombus blocks a vessel, symptoms and signs of the abnormal condition can be immediate and alarming. Unfortunately, the process of thrombus accumulation in the deep veins is often silent and unexpected. More unfortunate is the fact that embolization of thrombus, from extremity veins to the pulmonary arteries, is unpredictable and seemingly random. It is known that anticoagulation tends to halt thrombus propagation. However, to most individuals, it seems intuitively better if thrombus is not present at all. When it is, early removal with thrombolytic agents, or thrombectomy devices might be an advantage if thrombus is not present, it cannot embolize, or damage valves. If the process required to remove the thrombus was inexpensive and risk-free, there would be little discussion or hesitation. However, the risk/benefit ratio of thrombus removal, whether in peripheral or central veins and arteries, is a subject of great debate. Careful studies and complete long-term follow-up data are necessary for the thrombolytic option to evolve, to develop safe and effective use of this powerful therapeutic tool.
Vibrational excitation and relaxation of HBr(V = 2) state

Abstract Vibrational fluorescence from the V = 2 to the V = 1 state is observed following excitation by a pulsed HBr chemical laser. The time dependence of the fluorescence is used to determine the rate of near-resonant vibration-to-vibration energy transfer, HBr(V = 1) + HBr(V = 1) ⇌ HBr(V = 2) + HBr(V = 0) + δE = 90 cm−1. The cross section for this reacti
Sedimentation characteristics of template RNA from rabbit reticulocytes and rat liver.

Abstract After zone centrifugation of RNA from rabbit reticulocytes and rat liver, the material active in stimulating amino acid incorporation by Escherichia coli ribosomes is concentrated in the 18-S region. This result is obtained with RNA extracted with phenol at 4°. In RNA extracted at 30°, most of the activity is present in the 28-S region. Recentrifugation of the 18-S fraction from reticulocyte RNA leads to a sharp 15–16-S activity peak. The relative leucine, isoleucine and valine content of the material synthesized as a result of stimulation by reticulocyte RNA fractions approaches that of rabbit globin.
Distribution-in-Speed of Fading of 150-kc./s. Waves

A CONSIDERABLE amount of work has been done on the ‘speed of fading’ of radio waves1–3. This quantity, often referred to as ντ, denotes the change in the amplitude in a certain time, τ, expressed as a fraction of the root mean square amplitude of the wave. The first-order theory indicates that the distribution-in-speed should be a normal one representable by:
Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Soil Fertility Influence Mineral Concentrations in Seedlings of Eight Hardwood Species

Eight hardwood species were grown under two sets of fertilizer and vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) treatments. In the first study three treatments of 140, 560, and 1120 kg/ha of 10– 10– 10 (% N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively) fertilizer were added to fumigated soil with or without a mixture of Glomusmosseae Nicol. and Gerd. and Glomusetunicatus Becker and Gerd. (GM). In the second study, seedlings were grown with VAM treatments of (i) the same Glomus (GM) mixture as in study 1, (ii) Glomusfasiculatus (Thaxter) Gerd. and Trappe (GF), or (iii) mixed cultures of several Glomus and Gigaspora species (GG). A fertilizer treatment of 280 kg/ha of 10– 10– 10 was added to all seedlings. All treatments, in both studies, also received 10 equal applications of NH4NO3, totaling 1680 kg/ha, during the growing season. No single nutrient was consistently higher in nonmycorrhizal or VAM seedlings in either study and no symbiont produced consistently high concentrations of all nutrients in all species. Uninoculated se...
Integrated management of application performance, power and cooling in data centers

Data centers contain IT, power and cooling infrastructures, each of which is typically managed independently. In this paper, we propose a holistic approach that couples the management of IT, power and cooling infrastructures to improve the efficiency of data center operations. Our approach considers application performance management, dynamic workload migration/consolidation, and power and cooling control to “right-provision” computing, power and cooling resources for a given workload. We have implemented a prototype of this for virtualized environments and conducted experiments in a production data center. Our experimental results demonstrate that the integrated solution is practical and can reduce energy consumption of servers by 35% and cooling by 15%, without degrading application performance.
Should neuraminidase inhibitors be prescribed for patients with influenza

ATA SOURCES list of clinical trials was compiled ith the following: previous eviews, electronic databases CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, atabase of Abstracts of Reviews of ffects, NHS Economic Evaluation atabase), Food and Drug dministration and European edicines Agency regulatory ocuments, Web site of Japanese egulators, correspondence with anufacturers, drug product nformation sheets, Health echnology Assessment ocuments, and public and anufacturers’ registers. Data were ollected up to April 12, 2011.
Seeing the forest for the invasives: mapping buckthorn in the Oak Openings

Landsat TM and ETM+ satellite images from 2001 to 2011 were used to map the extent and change of the invasive shrubs common and glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus and Rhamnus cathartica) at Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve (IPSNP), and throughout Oak Openings, a 1,500 km2 region, located in NW Ohio, USA and SE Michigan near Lake Erie. In the Oak Openings, buckthorn directly threatens native biodiversity and habitat health of this globally rare ecosystem. Buckthorn that forms as dense shrub thicket in the understory is often obscured from satellite view by other canopy and is not spectrally dissimilar enough to be characterized using multispectral images. To address this, time series tasseled cap greenness images of land surface areas dominated by buckthorn thicket (which exhibit early leaf-out, late senescence) was used to identify areas covered by thicket with a heterogeneous background. A time series of vegetation index values was calculated from 49 Landsat images and combined with in-situ observations to define the land surface phenology of buckthorn thicket and other vegetation types. The phenological differences among land surfaces dominated by distinct vegetation types in the Oak Openings Region were used to map the extent of buckthorn thicket using a supervised classification method. Buckthorn thicket was identified in 0.43 % of the classified pixels (940 ha) in the 2007–2011 imagery and in 0.31 % (690 ha) of the 2001–2006 images. A Kappa test of the 2007–2011 classification yielded a value of 0.73 with 88 % overall accuracy of presence or absence of thicket based on 60 samples throughout the Oak Openings. The areal extent of buckthorn thicket increased by 39 % (255 ha) in the study area over the time period from 2001 to 2011.
Mass-losing red giants in open clusters

Mass-losing stars in open clusters with main-sequence turn-offs at intermediate mass have been searched for by using the IRAS data base. The absence of many strong 60 micron sources in open clusters implies that intermediate-mass stars lose much of their mass during an intense wind phase of rather short duration. For stars of about seven solar masses, this phase, if it exists at all, lasts for not much more than 100,000 yr. For stars of about four solar masses, the intense wind phase appears to last considerably less than 10 million yr; it may well last for less than a million yr.
Classification of Exogenous Factors Contributing to the Itch Response

Itch is a common sensation and a component of numerous disease states. Itch can be classified according to its origin and may be modulated by both endogenous and exogenous factors. Recent research has led to a better understanding of the mechanisms of itch, but there are still many areas to be explored. The purpose of this article is to classify the common causes of exogenous itch in humans. To facilitate this, a Medline literature review was conducted using the MeSH search term ‘pruritus’ along with relevant associated subheadings to identify articles dealing with exogenous factors related to itch. Factors relevant to exogenous itch were classified into mechanical, chemical, and environmental components. A better understanding of the various mechanisms of pruritus is critical to effective research into the treatment of itch.
Instructional effects on responses in Wason's selection task.

This study examines the effects of three different violation instructions in the abstract selection task. Margolis (1987) hypothesized different selection patterns for each of these instructions. The results of Expt 1 supported all of his predictions, including one for a large number of not-p and not-q selections, an extremely infrequent choice for the abstract selection task. In Expt 2, the violation instruction leading to the not-p and not-q selections was used in an abstract permission schema selection task problem. In this case, it enhanced the facilitation normally observed for such problems instead of leading to not-p and not-q selections. The present results are discussed as support for attentional cueing models of reasoning, specifically Margolis's scenario/linguistic ambiguity theory and Evans's heuristic/analytic processing theory.
Iso­propyl 2,4,6‐triiso­propyl­phenyl sulfone: an aryl sulfone with unusual atom deviations from the aromatic least‐squares plane

Iso­propyl 2,4,6-triiso­propyl­phenyl sulfone, C18H30O2S, (I), has been synthesized for the first time. In spite of the bulky iso­propyl substituents on both ortho positions, crystalline (I) does not exhibit rotational disorder of the iso­propyl group bonded to the sulfonyl. In contrast, the corresponding bromo- and chloro­iso­propyl groups of crystalline aryl sulfones possessing much smaller di-ortho-methyl substituents display striking rotational disorder. While the aryl rings of the latter compounds are essentially planar, considerable atom deviation from the aromatic least-squares plane of (I) was observed. None of the intra- or intermolecular distances between the methyl C atoms of the sulfonyl­iso­propyl group and those of the two ortho-iso­propyl groups of (I) is shorter than the sum of their van der Waals radii, making it unlikely that they would interfere with the rotation of the α-iso­propyl group prior to crystallization.