cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of cardiac markers as assessed by outcomes analysis

Abstract This article will describe the outcomes studies that have been performed or are needed in related to biochemical markers in coronary artery diseases (CAD). Studies in five major areas are reviewed: the need for emergency department (ED) chest pain centers and the role of cardiac markers; impact of cardiac marker testing frequency on length of stay (LOS); interpretation of cardiac troponins T and I for risk stratification of cardiac patients with unstable angina (UA); serum markers for determining the success of intravenous thrombolytic therapy following acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and its role in rescue percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA); and need and criteria for implementation of new cardiac tests. Chest pain centers reduce unnecessary admissions and costs for AMI rule outs. Laboratories must perform testing on a stat basis for rapid rule out of AMI. Stat testing will also result in a reduction in hospital LOS for patients who rule in for AMI. For UA patients, studies are needed to determine how results of cardiac markers can be used to improve cardiac outcomes. Serial measurements of myoglobin offer the earliest discrimination for successful reperfusion, and should be used if rescue PTCA becomes important therapeutically. New markers for early diagnosis are needed to complement tests such as myoglobin and CK-MB isoforms. Markers that assess early pathophysiologic events of AMI such as inflammation, thrombosis, and pre-necrosis ischemia have the most promise.
A Field Evaluation of Rain Garden Flow and Pollutant Treatment

Rain gardens have been recommended as a best management practice to treat stormwater runoff. However, no published field performance data existed on pollutant removal capabilities. Replicated rain gardens were constructed in Haddam, CT, to capture shingled-roof runoff. The gardens were sized to store the first 2.54 cm (1 inch) of runoff. Influent, overflow and percolate flow were measured using tipping buckets and sampled passively. Precipitation was also measured and sampled for quality. All weekly composite water samples were analyzed for total phosphorus (TP), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), and nitrite+nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N). Monthly composite samples were analyzed for copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). Redox potential was measured using platinum electrodes. Poor treatment of NO3-N, TKN, organic-N, and TP in roof runoff was observed. Many Cu, Pb and Zn samples were below detection limit, so statistical analysis was not performed on these pollutants. The only pollutants significantly lower in the effluent than in the influent were NH3-N in both gardens and total-N in one garden. The design used for these rain gardens worked well for overall flow retention, but had little impact pollutant concentrations in percolate. These results suggest that if an underdrain is not connected to the stormwater system, high flow and pollutant retention could be achieved with the 2.54 cm design method.
MICROSCOPIC INVESTIGATION OF THE ONSET OF ASPHALTENE PRECIPITATION

ABSTRACT A microscopic study of the onset of asphaltene precipitation is reported. The onset conditions can be quantified by measurement of mixture refractive index, together with microscopic observations of particulate formation in mixtures of oil and precipitant, with or without added solvents. For isooctane mixtures with a variety of hydrocarbon solvents and a crude oil from Alaska, the onset of precipitation occurs over a narrow range of solution refractive index. Addition of polar solvents or different precipitating agents can shift the refractive index at which precipitation begins. Refractive index decreases when a crude oil is diluted by precipitant, as in this study, or when changes in temperature and pressure alter the relative molar volumes of species in the oil. If it falls below some critical value, resin/asphaltene aggregates that had been in stable dispersion become unstable and precipitate. These observations provide a method of screening solvents to differentiate between those that preven...
Time asymptotics of non-darcy flows controlled by total flux on the boundary

We study the long term asymptotics of the diffusive capacity, the integral characteristic of a domain with respect to a nonlinear Forchheimer flow in porous media. Conditions on the boundary are given in terms of the total flux and constraints on the pressure trace on the boundary. We prove that, if the total flux is stabilizing, then the difference between the pressure average inside the domain and the pressure average on the boundary is stabilizing as well. This result can be used for calculating the productivity index of the well, an important characteristic of the well performance. To obtain the main theorem, a refined comparison of the fully transient pressure with the pseudo-steady state pressure (the time derivative of pressure is constant) was performed. These results can be effectively used in reservoir engineering and can also be applied to other problems modeled by nonlinear diffusive equations. Bibliography: 26 titles.
Spectral sensitivity of the 2-month infant as measured by the visually evoked cortical potential

Abstract The spectral sensitivity functions of five 2-month infants and two adults were determined through measurement of implicit time of the visually evoked cortical potential (VEP). Implicit times were plotted against log energy for each of eight wavelengths throughout the spectrum. Spectral sensitivity curves derived from these plots show that the 2-month infant is similar to the adult for wavelengths above 550 nm, but somewhat more sensitive than the adult below 550 nm. A likely explanation is that the macular pigment is less dense in the infant than in the adult, and therefore more short-wave radiation reaches the infant's photoreceptors.
Adsorption of lutein from soybean oil on silicic acid. II: Kinetics

Adsorption kinetics of lutein on silicic acid from a crude soybean oil miscella were first order with respect to lutein at small pigment concentrations but zero order above 15 µM. Lutein adsorption was first order with respect to silica. Triglyceride adsorption was first order with respect to triglyceride concentration and adsorbent dose. The adsorption rate constant of lutein was reduced by increasing the triglyceride concentrations relative to that of lutein. Both lutein and triglyceride were reversibly bound. The kinetic data indicated competition between lutein and triglyceride for adsorption sites.
Prematurely condensed chromosomes of dividing and non-dividing cells in aging human cell cultures.

Abstract Chromosomes of dividing and non-dividing aging cells were examined by fusing senescent WI38 cells with mitotic HeLa cells to induce premature chromosome condensation (PCC). Exposure of the WI38 cells to 3H-thymidine 48 h prior to fusion allowed autoradiographic identification of cells that did not synthesize DNA (non-dividing cells). Ninety-six percent of the non-dividing cells, diploid or tetraploid, induced into PCC had single chromatids and were therefore blocked in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Anomalous centromeric pairing of chromatids was noted in the remaining 4% of the non-dividing cells. Typical G2 configurations (double chromatids) were observed only among labeled (dividing) cells. The efficiency of PCC induction was independent of culture age. In addition, the efficiency of PCC induction was independent of phase in the cell cycle, as shown by comparison of observed frequencies with expected frequencies.
Phytohemagglutinin skin tests in cancer patients.

Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates blastic transformation of normal lymphocytes in vitro and when injected intradermally produces a skin response histologically similar to a delayed hypersensitivity reaction. We investigated the skin test responses to PHA, mumps, candida, and varidase (SK-SD) and the PHA-induced lymphocyte transformation in patients with malignant neoplasms. Increased incidence of anergy to recall antigens and unresponsiveness to PHA skin testing was observed in patients with lymphoreticular malignancies but not in those with solid tumors. There was a direct correlation between skin test reactivity to at least one recall antigen and/or PHA and survival in lymphoma patients. This was true of both short and long term survival in Hodgkin's disease and of survival at least through 42 months in nonHodgkin's lymphomas. In vitro stimulation of lymphocytes with PHA did not correlate with PHA skin test reactivity. We conclude that PHA skin testing is a useful adjunct in the evaluation of patients with lymphoreticular malignancies. Cuncer 39:2355-2361, 1977.
SEMANTIC ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS OF COMPLEX BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

In general biologists are not accustomed to formulating biological problems in the precise mathematical terms that are required to solve the problems analytically or numerically. Although many computational tools for systems biology have been developed recently, our observations indicate that many of these tools are powerful only in the hands of those who know a lot about how to use them. For most biologists, the tools have a protracted learning curve and unfriendly user interface that often diminish their likelihood of being used. Our long-term goal is to build a knowledge system that allows biologists to synthesize complex biological systems via natural language interactions, and the system is able to generate the corresponding mathematical descriptions so that the often cumbersome communication process between biologists and mathematicians/engineers in formulating complex biological problems in mathematic terms can be performed more easily. To focus, the first goal in this research is to build a knowledge system prototype that focuses on transport related biological problems that occur from the cellular to tissue level. We address specifically two inter-related problems: (1) Provision of an intelligent system that is capable of automatically synthesizing smaller components into more complex systems; Provision of a user-friendly and natural language interface.
TPD of nitric acid from BaNa-Y: evidence that a nanoscale environment can alter a reaction mechanism.

The mechanism of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of nitric acid chemisorbed on BaNa–Y was studied over the temperature range from 200 to 400 °C, in the presence and absence of CO. Nitric acid dissociates to form H+ and NO3− when chemisorbed on BaNa–Y. The results of these experiments are consistent with H+ and NO3− either reacting directly to produce OH and NO2 or recombining to produce HNO3, which is desorbed and rapidly decomposes within the zeolite pores to OH and NO2. The kinetics and stoichiometry suggest that the hydroxyl radicals produced react with CO and NO2 to form CO2 + H and NO + HO2, respectively. The H atoms thus formed react with OH in preference to NO2, a change in mechanism consistent with literature rate constants and the expectation that the zeolite pore walls act as a third body for the reaction of H with OH. Finally, OH may react with NO2 to form HO2, which can undergo further reactions to form O2, H2O, and/or H2. No reaction between CO and NO3 or CO and surface-bound NO3− was observed.
A SIMPLE MAXIMUM PROBABILITY RESOLUTION ALGORITHM FOR MOST PROBABLE NUMBER ANALYSIS USING MICROSOFT EXCEL

Traditional most probable number (MPN) methods are executed using one of two schemes. The direct maximum probability resolution (DMPR) technique involves calculating the binomial probability distribution array, P (= IIi Pi; i dilutions), as a function of cell density (A) and finding the value of δ which corresponds to the maximum in P (the MPN). Alternatively, indirect MPR methods seek the solution to a nonlinear equation, related to Pi, by altering δ. We describe herein a simple maximum probability resolution (SMPR) method of the second type which involves the repeated calculation (j cycles) of δj+1 by the addition of a term, related to the partial first derivative of Pi with respect to δ, to δj until the MPN (δfinal) is reached. Using this SMPR algorithm and comparing our results with a DMPR procedure (n = 5, 10, or 96; 10,000 points per Pi), another indirect computer-based MPR method (n = 10 or 96), or published MPN tables (n = 5) we found that there was agreement to 3–5 significant figures. The SMPR approach also outperformed all other computer-based MPR techniques tested.
On efficient data collection and event detection with delay minimization in deep sea

Efficient data collection and event detection in the deep sea, as special applications of delay tolerant networks, pose some unique challenges due to the need for timeliness of data and event reporting of coverage areas and the delay of acoustic transmission in the ocean. Usually, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) deployed in searching need to surface frequently to transmit collected data and events, as communications in the air can be done more quickly than communications under the water. However, extra delay is introduced at each resurfacing as AUVs are usually operated in the deep sea. In this paper, we attempt to optimize the frequency of surfacing with the objective of minimizing the average data and event reporting delay. We also study trajectory planning using an extended Euler circuit, where the search space is a set of connected line segments in the deep sea.
Biologic Contrasts Between Medullipin I and Vasoactive Glyceryl Compounds

Medullipin I causes a delayed onset depressor response when injected intravenously into rats. The glyceryl compounds selachyl alcohol (SA) and monoolein (MO) cause similar vasodepression. The neutral lipid 1-O-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (HAG) was suggested by Blank et al to be medullipin I (Med I, formerly ANRL). Biologic comparisons were made between Med I and various glyceryl compounds, including SA, MO, HAG, alkyl glyceryl ethers of phosphatidyl choline (termed APRL by us), diacylated SA, and the n-butyl boronic acid derivative of SA and MO. The n-butyl boronic acid derivative of Med I also was evaluated. The delay in onset of the depressor response to Med I was reduced by the injection of Med I into the portal vein; that of SA and MO was not. Med I, SA, and MO were activated by the liver, while APRL and HAG were not. Tween 20 inhibited Med I, SA, and MO, but not APRL and HAG. Proadifen (SKF 525A) inhibited Med I, but not SA and MO. The n-butyl boronic acid derivatives of SA, MO, and Med I were inactive. Med I, like SA and MO, appeared to have two hydroxyl groups in close proximity. It was concluded that Med I is neither HAG, APRL, SA, nor MO.
Optimize Evacuation Route Considering the Operational Cost as a Constraint

Evacuation planning involves modeling, operation, and management of evacuation routes before and during emergency evacuation. This paper presents the development and examination of a route optimization model which considers the operational cost as a constraint. The study is focused on the situation when the backbone evacuation route, usually the interstate highway system, is over congested and some traffic need to be directed to local street networks. As intersections are the key control components of a street network, traffic operations at intersections cannot be neglected in route selection. In order to consider the operational cost in the modeling process, a street network is first presented by an extended graph network which has cost information associated with each node. Then, a system optimal traffic assignment approach is used to select and optimize the evacuation routes. The property of the approach is examined by a numerical test which includes a network composed of a backbone interstate highway and a grid network with over 30 intersections.
A new world order for human experiments.

(2003). A New World Order for Human Experiments. Accountability in Research: Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 47-56.
"Cobra-like" deformation of an Amplatzer septal occluder.

Transcatheter occlusion of secundum atrial septal defects using Amplatzer septal occluders (ASOs) is a safe, simple, and effective alternative to surgical closure. We present the first report of a ``cobra-like'' shape deformation of the device encountered during inappropriate positioning. The complication is reversible and is easily avoidable.
THE VASCULAR ANATOMY OF THE EIGHT-ROWED EAR AND TASSEL OF GOLDEN BANTAM SWEET CORN

LEA, D. E. 1947. Actions of radiations on living cells. New York. SCHMIrr, F. O., AND B. UHLEMEYER. 1930. The mechanism of the lethal effects of ultrasonic radiation. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. and Med. .'7,: 626-628. WALLACE, R. H., R. J. BUSHNELL, AND E. H. NEWCOMER. 1948. The induction of cytogenetic variations by ultrasonic waves. Science 107: 577-578. WooD, R. W. 1939. Supersonics. The science of inaudible sounds. Brown Univ. Press. , AND A. L. LOOMIs. 1927. The physical and biological effects of high frequency sound waves of great intensity. Phil. Mag. and Jour. 4:417-436. YAMAHA, G., AND R. UEDA. 1939. Ueber den Einfluss der Ultraschallwellen auf die Wurzelspitzenzellen von Vicia faba L. Bot. and Zool. 7:41001-1007.
Structure-Function Relationships among Ryanodine Derivatives: PYRIDYL RYANODINE DEFINITIVELY SEPARATES ACTIVATION POTENCY FROM HIGH AFFINITY *

Ryanodine derivatives are differentially effective on the two limbs of the ryanodine concentration-effect curve. This study comparing ryanodine, ryanodol, and pyridyl ryanodine and nine C10Oeq esters of them focuses on structure-function relations underlying their differential effectiveness. Ryanodol and pyridyl ryanodine had significantly lower affinities than ryanodine, but their EC50act values (concentration of ryanoid that induces one-half of full efficacy), potencies, and efficacies were not diminished in like fashion. Ryanodine and ryanodol were partial agonists, whereas pyridyl ryanodine was a full agonist, having a diminished deactivation potency. C10Oeq esterifications enhanced affinities and efficacies of the base ryanoids. The C10-Oeqester derivatives of ryanodine and pyridyl ryanodine, but not those of ryanodol, lost their capacity to deactivate RyR1s. Thus, affinity differences among ryanoids clearly do not predicate functional differences as regards activation of Ca2+ release channels. The pyrrole carboxylate on the C3 of ryanodine is dispensable to ryanoid activation of Ca2+ release channels. Ryanodol lacks this ring, but it nevertheless effects substantial activation. Moreover, its C10-Oeq esters display full efficacy. The increased ability of all the C10-Oeq derivatives to release Ca2+from the vesicles strengthens their role in directly impeding deactivation of RyR1, perhaps by interaction with some component within the transmembrane ionic flux pathway.
Hyperfine and Zeeman Studies of Low-Lying Atomic Levels of La 139 and the Nuclear Electric-Quadrupole Moment

The atomic-beam magnetic-resonance technique has been used to determine the hyperfine-interaction constants $A$, $B$, and $C$ and electron $g$ values ${g}_{J}$ for all previously unstudied atomic levels of ${\mathrm{La}}^{139}$ below 9000 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The results are analyzed in detail in terms of a set of eigen-vectors spanning the three configurations $5d6{s}^{2}$, $5{d}^{2}6s$, and $5{d}^{3}$. Corrections for hyperfine and Zeeman interactions between all low-lying states are carried out in intermediate coupling. The value deduced from the observed hyperfine structure for $Q$, the ${\mathrm{La}}^{139}$ nuclear ground-state electric-quadrupole moment, is influenced strongly by taking account of (a) the large recently found configuration mixing between $5d6{s}^{2}$, $5{d}^{2}6s$, and $5{d}^{3}$ and (b) the rather substantial Sternheimer shielding effects. The effects (a) and (b), though both about 30%, are in opposite directions and partially cancel. The value obtained is $Q=(+0.22\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03)b$. Although the order of consistency between the experimental results and theory is encouraging, a number of problems remain.
BIOLOGICAL WEIGHTING FUNCTIONS FOR UV INHIBITION OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN THE KELP LAMINARIA HYPERBOREA (PHAEOPHYCEAE)(1).

Different wavelengths of sunlight either drive or inhibit macroalgal production. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) effectively disrupts photosynthesis, but since UVR is rapidly absorbed in coastal waters, macroalgal photoinhibition and tolerance to UVR depend on the depth of attachment and acclimation state of the individual. The inhibition response to UVR is quantified with a biological weighting function (BWF), a spectrum of empirically derived weights that link irradiance at a specific wavelength to overall biological effect. We determined BWFs for shallow (0 m, mean low water [MLW]) and deep (10 m) Laminaria hyperborea (Gunnerus) Foslie collected off the island of Finnoy, Norway. For each replicate sporophyte, we concurrently measured both O2 evolution and (13) C uptake in 48 different light treatments, which varied in UV spectral composition and irradiance. The relative shape of the kelp BWF was most similar to that of a land plant, and the absolute spectral weightings and sensitivity were typically less than phytoplankton, particularly in the ultraviolet radiation A (UVA) region. Differences in BWFs between O2 and (13) C photosynthesis and between shallow (high light) and deep (low light) kelp were also most significant in the UVA. Because of its greater contribution to total incident irradiance, UVA was more important to daily loss of production in kelp than ultraviolet radiation B (UVB). Photosynthetic quotient (PQ) also decreased with increased UVR stress, and the magnitude of PQ decline was greater in deepwater kelp. Significantly, BWFs assist in the comparison of biological responses to experimental light sources versus in situ sunlight and are critical to quantifying kelp production in a changing irradiance environment.
Fusicoccin ring system by [4+4] cycloaddition. 2. A model study

Abstract A synthetic approach to fusicoccin A utilizing intramolecular photocycloaddition of tethered 2-pyridones has been completed. This study has led to the first solvent-dependent 2-pyridone photo-cycloaddition yielding either cis or trans products. Epoxidation of the cis photoproduct is selective for the disubstituted alkene, stabilizes the product, and is properly located for installation of the trans-1,2-diol. Activation of the secondary amide by reaction with an isocyanate led to the reduction of the neopentyl amide carbonyl to a methyl group.
Testing the key assumption of heritability estimates based on genome-wide genetic relatedness

Comparing genetic and phenotypic similarity among unrelated individuals seems a promising way to quantify the genetic component of traits while avoiding the problematic assumptions plaguing twin- and other kin-based estimates of heritability. One approach uses a Genetic Relatedness Estimation through Maximum Likelihood (GREML) model for individuals who are related at less than 0.025 to predict their phenotypic similarity by their genetic similarity. Here we test the key underlying assumption of this approach: that genetic relatedness is orthogonal to environmental similarity. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (and two other surveys), we show two unrelated individuals may be more likely to have been reared in a similar environment (urban versus nonurban setting) if they are genetically similar. This effect is not eliminated by controls for population structure. However, when we include this environmental confound in GREML models, heritabilities do not change substantially and thus potential bias in estimates of most biological phenotypes is probably minimal.
Intraosseous ganglion of the patella

Osteolytic cystic lesions of the patella are rare lesions. A review of the literature revealed only one previously reported example. The pathogenesis and radiological and pathological features of intraosseous ganglion cysts are discussed. In addition, the differential diagnosis of lytic patellar lesions is discussed.
Partial purification of plant transcription factors. I: Initiation

Crude plant cell protein extracts prepared from wheat germ are inactive for in vitro transcription by RNA polymerase II. These extracts do, however, have correct initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II. Initiation is monitored by measuring the formation of transcription complexes in vitro. A nuclear extract produces more initiation events than a whole cell extract or a cytosol extract. Some factors necessary for initiation can be separated from other proteins, including inhibitors, by ion exchange column chromatography. One specific fraction is sufficient for the formation of transcription complexes and several other fractions may be stimulatory or accessory factors.
Some Relationships Between Children's Conceptions of Psychological and Physical Causality

Summary Measures of psychological causality, morality, justice, physical causality, skepticism, animism, and the ability to take other perspectives were individually administered to 41 kindergarten and first-grade children. An orthogonally rotated principal-components analysis indicated four factors. Factor I, social judgment, included measures of morality, justice, skepticism, and perspectives. The second and third factors were identified as psychological and physical causality, respectively. Factor IV was identified as Conceptions of Life and is discussed in another study (5). The results offered some support for Piaget's views that the attribution of physical and psychological causation have different bases and sources of origin.
Democracy's greatest challenge: the legal sources of an Islamic state

This paper explores the legal sources of the modern state as described in accordance with Islamic law (shari'a). Beginning with an introduction, the paper uses two fatwa as a starting point to further expound on the nature of the state as described in two legal sources: the Qur'an (or Islamic law, as revealed to the prophet Muhammad) and the Sunna, the record of Muhammad's teachings, sayings and life experiences. The paper will also examine one 'quasi-legal' source, the Constitution of Medina. Jurists developed Islamic law after the death of Muhammad and, as such, we will identify the early elements of the state as described by them. Following this discussion, the paper identifies the institutions of a democratic Islamic state and the 'ideal' state, which became the focus of early Islamic philosophers. The paper will end with a detailed case study concerning the Islamic Republic of Iran and its adherence to Islamic law using points of reference made throughout the paper, including the two fatwa.
Neural Networks for Predicting the Behavior of Preconditioned Iterative Solvers

We evaluate the effectiveness of neural networks as a tool for predicting whether a particular combination of preconditioner and iterative method will correctly solve a given sparse linear system Ax= b. We consider several scenarios corresponding to different assumptions about the relationship between the systems used to train the neural network and those for which the neural network is expected to predict behavior. Greater similarity between those two sets leads to better accuracy, but even when the two sets are very different prediction accuracy can be improved by using additional computation.
ALIX binds a YPX3L motif of the GPCR PAR1 and mediates ubiquitin-independent ESCRT-III/MVB sorting

The sorting of signaling receptors to lysosomes is an essential regulatory process in mammalian cells. During degradation, receptors are modified with ubiquitin and sorted by endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)–0, –I, –II, and –III complexes into intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) of multivesicular bodies (MVBs). However, it remains unclear whether a single universal mechanism mediates MVB sorting of all receptors. We previously showed that protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1), a G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) for thrombin, is internalized after activation and sorted to lysosomes independent of ubiquitination and the ubiquitin-binding ESCRT components hepatocyte growth factor–regulated tyrosine kinase substrate and Tsg101. In this paper, we report that PAR1 sorted to ILVs of MVBs through an ESCRT-III–dependent pathway independent of ubiquitination. We further demonstrate that ALIX, a charged MVB protein 4–ESCRT-III interacting protein, bound to a YPX3L motif of PAR1 via its central V domain to mediate lysosomal degradation. This study reveals a novel MVB/lysosomal sorting pathway for signaling receptors that bypasses the requirement for ubiquitination and ubiquitin-binding ESCRTs and may be applicable to a subset of GPCRs containing YPXnL motifs.
Use of the Copper T380A Intrauterine Device by Adolescent Mothers: Continuation and Method Failure

Study Objective This report contributes to limited empirical data regarding use of the Copper T380A intrauterine device among adolescent mothers.
Prototype rover field testing and planetary surface operations

The success of robotic surface missions on remote planetary surfaces can be facilitated by test campaigns on Earth using a combination of prototype, proto-flight, and space flight hardware. A series of field operations and testing activities were performed using prototype and proto-flight rovers in the years leading up to the NASA Mars Exploration Rovers mission (MER). A brief overview of those activities is presented. Robotic activities and tasks exercised during the Earth-based field trials provided insights for later flight rover operations during the Mars missions. The distribution of mission intelligence and autonomy across a remote human-robot collaborative team is highlighted. Aspects of the mobility and robotic arm performances achieved by the MER flight rovers, spanning several years of surface operations, are summarized.
Mindfulness equity and Western Buddhism: reaching people of low socioeconomic status and people of color

This study presents the findings of the first pilot series of the Mindfulness Allies Project (MAP), and focuses on the intersection of mindfulness, Western Buddhism, socioeconomic status (SES), and race. While much has been published about the efficacy of mindfulness meditation with various clinical and non-clinical populations, understudied populations still include people of low SES and people of color. Additionally, while care is often, and appropriately, taken to differentiate mindfulness from Buddhism, the fact remains that Buddhism directly influenced the creation of leading clinical uses of mindfulness, including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. MAP proposes a model for Western Buddhist centers and teachers, as well as professional mindfulness providers, to offer annual secular mindfulness series in partnership with local organizations serving marginalized populations—those not benefitting from privileged identity factors—particularly in relation to race and class. MAP is founded on a vision of mindfulness equity—or equal access to mindfulness teachings. This MAP pilot series consisted of five weekly mindfulness classes. Classes were provided free of charge at a community center serving low-income residents, with childcare during and dinners after classes also provided free of charge. Participants largely consisted of people of color earning less than $15,000 per year. Quantitative and qualitative surveys administered at the conclusion of the final class revealed highly positive feedback, and suggest that the MAP model could benefit both marginalized communities as well as Buddhist centers’ and teachers’ desire to diversify those benefitting from their teachings in the West.
Effect of locally delivered minocycline microspheres on markers of bone resorption.

Background: Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) biomarkers associated with bone resorption may be useful to determine periodontal disease status and response to therapy. The pyridinoline cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), a bone-specific degradation product, and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1), a potent bone-resorptive cytokine, have both been associated with periodontal disease activity. Minocycline is a tetracycline derivative possessing antimicrobial effects on periodontal pathogens and inhibitory properties on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) associated with tissue destruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of periodontal treatment in the form of scaling and root planing (SRP) and locally administered minocycline microspheres on the GCF levels of ICTP and IL-1. Methods: Forty-eight chronic periodontitis patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups (SRP plus subgingival application of vehicle control [SRP + V], or SRP plus subgingival application of minocycline...
Viral load testing in resource-limited settings.

community have argued that making antiretroviral therapy available in resourcelimited settings would not be feasible or would not be a good public policy investment, data emerged very quickly after pilot programs were initiated that refuted this data-free speculation [3]. When treated with potent combinations of antiretroviral drugs in settings where appropriate adherence support can be provided, viral suppression rates very similar to those observed in high-resource settings can be achieved [3]. Initial efforts to deliver antiretroviral drugs in resource-limited settings were not unlike those ob
A Prototyping Tool for Analysis and Modeling of Video Transmission Traces over IP Networks

In the best-effort IP network, packet delay/loss will inevitably degrade the perceptual quality of real-time multimedia service, such as Voice-over-IP (VoIP), Video-on- Demand (VoD), etc. Modeling, prototyping, and analysis of traffic traces have always been very important and challenging topics in the area of multimedia communication. In general, packet loss/delay exhibits temporal dependence. Different prototyping tools, such as Bernoulli model, Gilbert model, Extended Gilbert model, Markov model, etc, have been proposed to model network trace. In this research, one VoD server and three clients have been setup to simulate a real VoD system. Different models have been applied to analyze and model the video transmission network traces obtained under RTP/UDP/IP protocol stack. Compared to the other tools, Markov model offers the best prototyping precision, in the sense of loss-run distribution and Forward Error Correction (FEC) performance prediction. As a powerful fast prototyping tool, Markov model will be very useful to model and analyze network traces and further improve the QoS in multimedia-over-IP.
Association of [14C] Phosphatidylcholine with Rat Epididymal Sperm and Its Conversion to [14C] Glycerylphosphorylcholine by Sperm and Principal Cells

The rate at which [14 CI phosphatidylcholine became associated with rat caput, corpus, and cauda epididymal sperm in vitro was determined. Within 30 sec all sperm types bound significant amounts of [‘4Clphosphatidylcholine and maximum levels were reached within 8 mm. However, throughout the remainder of the 32 min incubation period, there was a gradual decline in the amount of (‘4C1phosphatidylcholine which remained associated with sperm. Regional differences in the affinity of epididymal sperm for phosphandylcholine also were demonstrated. Caput sperm had the greatest affinity for I ‘4C1phosphatidylcholine followed by corpus and cauda sperm. After 2 h incubation, significant amounts of I ‘4Cl glycerylphosphorylcholine (I ‘4Cl GPC) were observed in caput, corpus, and cauda sperm and their corresponding incubation media, suggesting that epididymal sperm have the ability to convert t’4Cl phosphatidylcholine to L’4CI GPC. The gradual decline of [‘4C1 phosphatidylcholine associated with sperm between 8 and 32 mm incubation is consistent with the synthesis of I ‘4C1 GPC from I ‘4C1 phosphatidylcholine. Principal cells, isolated from dispersed caput epididymal tissue by centrifugal elutriation, synthesized and secreted significant amounts of l’4C1 GPC when incubated with free [‘4Clphosphatidylcholine or (‘4Clphosphatidylcholine-Iabeled sperm. The total (‘4CJ GPC produced from the co-incubation of principal cells with I ‘MCI phosphatidylcholine-labeled sperm was comparable to the total predicted, using the rates of GPC synthesis obtained when the two cell types were incubated alone. When sperm or principal cells were incubated alone, an average of 58% of the GPC synthesized was secreted into the incubation medium. However, 71% of the GPC produced was secreted into the medium when the two cell types were incubated together, suggesting that GPC secretion by one or both cell types was stimulated. It was concluded that high GPC levels in the epididymal fluid are sustained by sperm and principal cells which synthesize and secrete GPC by degrading lecithin that is lost from sperm during epididymal transit. The observation that buffer that contains bovine serum albumin (BSA) converts r4Clphosphatidylcholmne to [‘4CIGPC suggested that BSA contains phospholipase A and lysophospholipase.
A physically motivated approach for filtering acoustic waves from the equations governing compressible stratified flow

An incompressibility approximation is formulated for isentropic motions in a compressible stratified fluid by defining a pseudo-density ρ* and enforcing mass conservation with respect to ρ* instead of the true density. Using this approach, sound waves will be eliminated from the governing equations provided ρ* is an explicit function of the space and time coordinates and of entropy. By construction, isentropic pressure perturbations have no influence on the pseudo-density.A simple expression for ρ* is available for perfect gases that allows the approximate mass conservation relation to be combined with the unapproximated momentum and thermodynamic equations to yield a closed system with attractive energy conservation properties. The influence of pressure on the pseudo-density, along with the explicit (x,t) dependence of ρ* is determined entirely by the hydrostatically balanced reference state.Scale analysis shows that the pseudo-incompressible approximation is applicable to motions for which 2 ≪ min(1,2, where is the Mach number and the Rossby number. This assumption is easy to satisfy for small-scale atmospheric motions in which the Earth's rotation may be neglected and is also satisfied for quasi-geostrophic synoptic-scale motions, but not planetary-scale waves. This scaling assumption can, however, be relaxed to allow the accurate representation of planetary-scale motions if the pressure in the time-evolving reference state is computed with sufficient accuracy that the large-scale components of the pseudo-incompressible pressure represent small corrections to the total pressure, in which case the full solution to both the pseudo-incompressible and reference-state equations has the potential to accurately model all non-acoustic atmospheric motions.
Fugetaxis : active movement of leukocytes away from a chemokinetic agent

Chemotaxis or active movement of leukocytes toward a stimulus has been shown to occur in response to chemokinetic agents including members of the recently identified superfamily of proteins called chemokines. Leukocyte chemotaxis is thought to play a central role in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes including the homing of immune cells to lymph nodes and the accumulation of these cells at sites of tissue injury and pathogen or antigen challenge. We have recently identified a novel biological mechanism, which we term fugetaxis (fugere, to flee from; taxis, movement) or chemorepulsion, which describes the active movement of leukocytes away from chemokinetic agents including the chemokine, stromal cell derived factor-1, and the HIV-1 envelope protein, gp120. In this article, we review the evidence that supports the observation that leukocyte fugetaxis occurs in vitro and in vivo and suggestions that this novel mechanism can be exploited to modulate the immune response. We propose that leukocyte fugetaxis plays a critical role in both physiological and pathological processes in which leukocytes are either excluded or actively repelled from specific sites in vivo including thymic emigration, the establishment of immune privileged sites and immune evasion by viruses and cancer. We believe that current data support the thesis that a greater understanding of leukocyte fugetaxis will lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for a wide range of human diseases.
Readmission following open ventral hernia repair: incidence, indications, and predictors

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, indications, and predictive factors of hospital readmission after open ventral hernia repair. Methods A retrospective review of all open ventral hernia repairs at a single institution from 2000 to 2010 was performed to assess readmissions between 1 to 30, 1 to 90, and 91 to 365 days. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of 30-day readmission. Results Of the 888 patients, 75 (8%) were readmitted between 1 and 30 days, 97 (11%) between 1 and 90 days, and 78 (9%) between 91 and 365 days. Unplanned readmissions related to the surgery constituted the majority of 1-day to 30-day and 1-day to 90-day readmissions (82% and 74%, respectively) but not between 91 and 365 days (32%). Prior superficial or deep surgical-site infection (odds ratio, 2.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.32 to 4.32) and duration of surgery (odds ratio, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 1.73) were associated with 30-day readmission. Conclusions Efforts to reduce readmissions should be directed at modifiable risk factors for surgical-site infection and other surgical complications, particularly among those with prior skin infections and longer durations of surgery.
Concept Learning, Informative Feedback, and Individual Differences in Motivation

Summary Resultant Achievement Motivation scores for 60 female college students were computed from achievement motivation and test anxiety measures. These Resultant Achievement Motivation scores were employed as predictors of performance under conditions of differing rates of informational feedback in a concept learning task. Resultant Achievement Motivation was found to be significantly positively related to the rate of learning in a 100 percent feedback condition. No significant relationships were found in the 50 percent feedback condition. The findings of this study bear directly upon achievement motivation theory and suggest some possibly fruitful directions in the analysis of individual differences and learning.
An Eriophyid Mite-transmitted Plant Virus Contains Eight Genomic RNA Segments with Unusual Heterogeneity in the Nucleocapsid Protein

Eriophyid mite-transmitted, multipartite, negative-sense RNA plant viruses with membrane-bound spherical virions are classified in the genus Emaravirus. We report here that the eriophyid mite-transmitted Wheat mosaic virus (WMoV), an Emaravirus, contains eight genomic RNA segments, the most in a known negative-sense RNA plant virus. Remarkably, two RNA 3 consensus sequences, encoding the nucleocapsid protein, were found with 12.5% sequence divergence, while no heterogeneity was observed in the consensus sequences of additional genomic RNA segments. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, glycoprotein precursor, nucleocapsid, and P4 proteins of WMoV exhibited limited sequence homology with the orthologous proteins of other emaraviruses, while proteins encoded by additional genomic RNA segments displayed no significant homology with proteins reported in GenBank, suggesting that the genus Emaravirus evolved further with a divergent octapartite genome. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that WMoV formed an evolutionary link between members of the Emaravirus genus and the family Bunyaviridae. Furthermore, genomic-length virus- and virus-complementary (vc)-sense strands of all WMoV genomic RNAs accumulated asymmetrically in infected wheat, with 10- to 20-fold more virus-sense genomic RNAs than vc-sense RNAs. These data further confirm the octapartite negative-sense polarity of the WMoV genome. In WMoV-infected wheat, subgenomic-length mRNAs of vc sense were detected for genomic RNAs 3, 4, 7, and 8 but not for other RNA species, suggesting that the open reading frames present in the complementary sense of genomic RNAs are expressed through subgenomic- or near-genomic-length vc-sense mRNAs. IMPORTANCE Wheat mosaic virus (WMoV), an Emaravirus, is the causal agent of High Plains disease of wheat and maize. In this study, we demonstrated that the genome of WMoV comprises eight negative-sense RNA segments with an unusual sequence polymorphism in an RNA encoding the nucleocapsid protein but not in the additional genomic RNA segments. WMoV proteins displayed weak or no homology with reported emaraviruses, suggesting that the genus Emaravirus further evolved with a divergent octapartite genome. The current study also examined the profile of WMoV RNA accumulation in wheat and provided evidence for the synthesis of subgenomic-length mRNAs of virus complementary sense. This is the first report to demonstrate that emaraviruses produce subgenomic-length mRNAs that are most likely utilized for genome expression. Importantly, this study facilitates the examination of gene functions and virus diversity and the development of effective diagnostic methods and management strategies for an economically important but poorly understood virus.
Cutting Edge: Programmed Death-1 Defines CD8+CD122+ T Cells as Regulatory versus Memory T Cells

Recent convincing data have shown that naturally occurring CD8(+)CD122(+) T cells are also regulatory T cells. Paradoxically, CD8(+)CD122(+) T cells have been well described as memory T cells. Given their critical role in tolerance versus long-term immunity, it is important to reconcile this profound dichotomy. In this study, we reported that CD8(+)CD122(+) T cells contain both programmed death-1 (PD-1)(-) and PD-1(+) populations. It was CD8(+)CD122(+)PD-1(+) T cells, but not their PD-1(-) counterparts, that suppressed T cell responses in vitro and in vivo. This suppression was largely dependent on their production of IL-10. Moreover, the costimulatory signaling of both CD28 and PD-1 is required for their optimal IL-10 production. In contrast, Ag-specific CD8(+)CD122(+)PD-1(-) T cells were bona fide memory T cells. Thus, CD8(+)CD122(+) T cells can be either regulatory T or memory T cells, depending on their PD-1 expression and Ag specificity. This study reconciles previously contradictory findings and has important implications for tolerance induction.
The 2005, Mw 7.6 Kashmir earthquake: Sub-pixel correlation of ASTER images and seismic waveforms analysis

We analyze the M_w 7.6 Kashmir earthquake of October 8, 2005, using sub-pixel correlation of ASTER images to measure ground deformation, and modeling seismic waveforms. The surface rupture is continuous over a distance of 75 km and cuts across the Hazara syntaxis reactivating the Tanda and the Muzaffarabad faults. North of Muzaffarabad the surface rupture coincides approximately with the MBT, on the southwestern flank of the syntaxis, although the two faults have opposite dip angles. The rupture terminates abruptly at the hairpin turn of the MBT showing a strong structural control. The fault offset is 4 m on average and peaks to 7 m northwest of Muzaffarabad. The rupture lasted about 25 s and propagated updip and bi-laterally ~2 km/s, with a rise time of 2–5 s. The shallowness and compactness of the rupture, both in time and space, provide an explanation for the intensity of destructions. This kind of analysis could be achieved as soon as a post-earthquake image is available, and would provide key information for early assessment of damages. The study sheds some light on seismic hazard in the Himalaya, and raises concern regarding the possibility of a repetition of the 1555 event which presumably ruptured the Himalayan front south of the Kashmir basin and may have reached a magnitude M_w > 8.