cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum proteins, amyloid and Alzheimer's disease.

Serum protein analysis in 60 patients with histologically confirmed Alzheimer's disease (Group A) and in 60 others with clinical dementia and radiographic evidence of diffuse cerebral atrophy compatible with Alzheimer's disease (Group B) revealed a decrease in albumin and an increase in alpha-1 antitrypsin, alpha-2 macroglobulin and haptoglobin fractions. These abnormalities occurred in 66 per cent of these two groups, but in only 13 per cent of a third group of patients with dementia of the non-Alzheimer type. In addition, the highest values for alpha-2 macroglobulin were found in Groups A and B. The possible relationships of these findings to amyloidosis of the central nervous system is discussed. The significance of these data may lie in their value as an aid in making the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in vivo, in the absence of a brain biopsy. Further study is needed to confirm these observations.
Photon Energy Dependence of Radiation Effects in MOS Structures

MOS capacitors with oxide thicknesses of 750A, 3500A and 6000A were irradiated using a Co60 source and a Cu target x-ray tube. At low fields across the oxides (?1MV/cm), shifts in the flatband voltages observed with Co60 were twice those measured with the Cu tube at the same oxide dose. At higher fields (>1MV/cm) the differences disappear. The observations are interpreted to be due to differences in the electron-hole recombination dynamics for the two radiation energies. Additionally, it was observed that the Si-SiO2 interface states trap holes with an efficiency that decreases as the square root of the electric field across the oxide.
Neurosurgery at the University of Michigan.

NEUROSURGERY AT THE University of Michigan was established as a specialty three-quarters of a century ago by Max Minor Peet. It developed under the successive leadership of Edgar Allan Kahn, Richard Coy Schneider, and Julian T. Hoff. Each has made unique contributions to the program, which has a strong tradition of teaching, research, and patient care. This article traces the development of the training program in neurosurgery at Michigan, focusing on its historical background, past accomplishments, present structure, and future directions. (Neurosurgery 37 :114-121, 1995)
Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma: Review of Perioperative Management of Blood Pressure and Update on Genetic Mutations Associated With Pheochromocytoma

Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are rare tumors with high morbidity rates caused by excessive catecholamine secretion, even though the majority of tumors are benign. The use of perioperative blockade regimens, together with improved surgical techniques, has greatly impacted the perioperative morbidity associated with these tumors. The old dogma of the "tumor of tens" no longer holds true. For example, at least one third of all pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are hereditary, with mutations in 1 of 10 well-characterized susceptibility genes, and one quarter of all tumors are malignant. This review focuses on the perioperative management of pheochromocytoma and paragangliomas and the clinical implications of the associated genetic mutations.
Caregiving grandmothers and their grandchildren: Well-being nine years later

Abstract This longitudinal study addressed change in grandmothers' and grandchildren's well-being over a nine year period. Fifty grandmothers previously studied in 1998–1999 when raising school-aged grandchildren were interviewed again in 2008. For the grandmothers, relationships at time-one with their grandchildren and their adult sons or daughters—the grandchildren's parents—impacted gains in life satisfaction later, but not mental health. Change in the grandchildren's behavior, as rated by the grandmothers, was predicted by their grandmothers' mental health nine years earlier. Furthermore, development of greater closeness in the grandmother–grandchild relationship was associated with improvement in the grandmother's mental health and grandchild's behavior over the nine years. These results demonstrate that quality of relationships during school years is important for the grandmother's evaluation of her life well into the future; the quality of the grandmother–grandchild relationship is central for the well-being of both; and fostering the grandmothers' mental health early-on could contribute to her grandchild's well-being as a young adult.
High-resolution field-desorption mass spectrometry utilizing multichannel scaling techniques☆

Abstract The use of a Tracor—Northern Model 1700 multichannel analyzer operated in the multichannel scaling mode has been shown to simplify greatly the acquisition of high-resolution field-desorption mass spectra for very high masses (>1000 daltons). The data are acquired using voltage scanning, and an equation is derived which converts the masses obtained by linear interpolation into true mass values.
Infrared spectrum of sulfuryl bromofluoride

Abstract The infrared absorption spectrum of gaseous SO2BrF has been observed using a prism spectrometer equipped with NaCl, KBr and CsBr prisms. Of the nine fundamental vibrations eight have been observed with reasonable certainty while the remaining fundamental has possibly been observed. Several of the proposed fundamentals could not be assigned to particular modes of vibration with complete assurance since the necessary Raman data were not available.
Late Holocene slip rate for the North Anatolian fault, Turkey, from cosmogenic 36Cl geochronology: Implications for the constancy of fault loading and strain release rates

Geomorphologic mapping and cosmogenic radionuclide (36Cl) dating of an offset fluvial terrace yield a preferred late Holocene slip rate of 20.5 ± 5.5 mm/yr for the central part of the North Anatolian fault, Turkey; an independent slip rate constrained by 14C ages is 20.5 ± 8.5 mm/yr. These rates are generally similar to, but possibly slightly slower than, the short-term rate of elastic strain storage of 25 ± 1 measured geodetically across this major strike-slip fault ([Reilinger et al., 2006][1]), suggesting that loading and strain release on this part of the North Anatolian fault have been relatively constant when averaged over the past ∼2–2.5 k.y. We attribute this consistency to the relatively simple structure of the Anatolia-Eurasia plate boundary in north-central Turkey, where almost all plate boundary strain is accommodated along the North Anatolian fault. The absence of other moderate to high slip rate faults (and the earthquakes they produce) leads to a relatively simple stress evolution for the fault dominated by steady tectonic loading. [1]: #ref-10
Acro-oto-ocular syndrome : Further evidence for a new autosomal recessive disorder

We report on a patient born to consanguineous parents and presenting with pseudopapilledema, mixed hearing loss, and minor facial and limb anomalies. To our knowledge, there is just one similar description of this syndrome in three members of a Brazilian kindred whose parents were also consanguineous, suggesting autosomal recessive inheritance. We compare the findings of our patient with these previous reported cases and discuss the differential diagnoses of this new syndrome, which we suggest be named the acro-oto-ocular syndrome.
Induced scalar effects in semileptonic weak interactions

The size of an induced scalar coupling in semileptonic weak processes arising from quark mass differences, impulse-approximation results, and charged-Higgs-boson exchange is estimated. Although the predicted size of the effect is non-negligible it is apparently below present experimental capability to detect.
Four enzymes define the incorporation of coenzyme A in thienamycin biosynthesis

The enzymatic activities of three proteins encoded by the thienamycin gene cluster of Streptomyces cattleya (ThnR, ThnH, and ThnT) have been shown to incrementally cleave CoA to afford the active side-chain component of the β-lactam antibiotic thienamycin. These results supersede proposals based on earlier radiochemical incorporation experiments. For 20 years it has been thought that cysteine was directly incorporated into the antibiotic. Specific, stepwise truncation of CoA to 4-phosphopantetheine, pantetheine, and finally cysteamine was observed with ThnR, ThnH, and ThnT, respectively, in a series of coupled enzymatic assays. Pantetheinylated carbapenams were synthesized to address possible thienamycin biosynthetic intermediates and were shown to be effective substrates for the pantetheine-cleaving enzyme ThnT. Finally, a fourth gene, thnF, was shown to encode a protein capable of N-acetylating a model compound containing cysteamine in the presence of acetyl-CoA, consistent with the production of the S. cattleya cometabolite, N-acetylthienamycin. Taken together, these four enzymes are proposed to siphon CoA from primary metabolism to create the side chains for the predominant S. cattleya carbapenems, thienamycin and N-acetylthienamycin, in a process likely to be general for the broader class of these antibiotics.
Light scattering by cellulose. V. Anisotropy scattering by wood fibers

Solid state light scattering patterns from single wood fibers were recorded using a laser as the light source. The scattering was recorded in the Hv mode; i.e., with the incident light beam vertically polarized, the scattered light was passed through a horizontal analyzer, thus permitting the recording of only the scattering arising from anisotropy fluctuations. The scattering pattern was confined to a narrow line consisting of regularly spaced maxima and minima. The overall scattering envelope could be accounted for by a hollow cylindrical model with helically wound dipoles, while the periodicity in the intensity is a function of fiber diameter and cell wall thickness. Comparison of relative intensities led to the conclusions that cellulose of the wood fiber behaves optically as a biaxial crystal in that the cellulose crystallites are biaxially oriented in an axial-tangentoplanar fashion in the cell wall.
Applications of the particle-in-cell technique to liquid crystal optical devices

For the first time we demonstrate the application of the particle-in-cell (PIC) technique in modeling liquid crystal (LC) optical devices. We apply the technique to a two-dimensional cell including splay and bend deformations. The simulation method is validated by comparing the numerical results with analytical theory of Fredericksz transition in a parallel-plate LC cell. The phenomenon of the Fredericksz transition and the formation and dynamics of defect walls in highly inhomogeneous electric fields are investigated, demonstrating the applicability of the technique for modeling the dynamic behavior of LC devices.
On inverses and quasi-inverses of linear time-varying discrete systems☆

Abstract This paper presents a solution to the general problem of finding inverses and quasi-inverses of time-varying linear discrete systems. The results are applicable to systems defined over any abstract field. Unlike fixed systems, a time-varying system does not necessarily possess an inverse, even if a delay in the output of the inverse is allowed. This inverse with delay is called a quasi-inverse. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a quasi-inverse are established. These conditions are difficult to apply, since they often require an infinite number of calculations. However, a simple necessary condition and a simple sufficient condition are derived. The existence of a quasi-inverse does not insure that the inverse system can be represented by a unique canonical form or a unique difference equation. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a unique inverse are shown. Under these same conditions, the canonical form of the inverse is the same as the canonical form of the inverse of a fixed system with the same structure. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the special case of a coding system where the system is described by a transmission matrix of finite dimension are given.
The effect of hyperthyroidism on the sarcoplasmic reticulum and myosin ATPase of dog hearts

Abstract Large doses of desiccated thyroid were administered to dogs for from 55 to 176 days (mean 118 days) to evaluate the effect of long-term administration upon the myocardium. An increased pulmonary vascular bed and cardiac enlargement were found in most animals. Calcium-activated myosin adenosine-triphosphatase (ATPase) activity was significantly elevated at pH values of 7.0 and below. The ATPase activity of sulfhydryl-modified myosin was also altered. However, in the presence of K+ and EDTA, the myosin ATPase activity was similar to that of myosin from normal dog hearts. The calcium uptake by the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (CSR) (in the presence of oxalate) was significantly less than normal for the thyroid-treated dogs. The calcium content of the CSR was also less than normal for the treated dogs. The norepinephrine content of the myocardium from the thyroid-treated dogs was less than normal, but when corrected for hypertrophy was within normal limits.
Research Note: Organizational Commitment in the Restaurant Industry

The hospitality industry has faced many challenges throughout the years in terms of managing, retaining, and motivating its people with the concept of organizational commitment being of primary interest. The findings of this study as set within the restaurant sector indicate that monetary incentives influence restaurant workers' degree committment to the organization but to a lesser degree than intrinsic factors.
Patterns of ethanol-induced cell death in the developing nervous system of mice; neural fold states through the time of anterior neural tube closure.

Abstract Vital staining and routine histological analyses of mouse embryos 12 h after acute maternal ethanol administration (2.9 g/kg) illustrated that selected neuronal cell populations are killed. At the time of treatment, embryos had 5–15 somite pairs, corresponding to the developmental stages occurring in humans during the fourth week of post-fertilization; i.e. when neural folds are present and neural tube fusion begins. Affected cell populations in embryos having 6–26 somite pairs (up to the stage of anterior neuropore closure) were in discrete locations in the alar and basal plates of the rhombencephalon, in the otic placode/vesicle, and in the regions of the epibranchial placodes, olfactory placodes and trigeminal ganglion. The potential basis for the vulnerability of these cell populations to ethanol-induced cell death is discussed. Our understanding of the scope of ethanol-induced CNS damage is dependent upon further defining ethanol-sensitive cell populations at all stages of CNS development.
Biology of Myotis thysanodes and M. lucifugus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). II. Bioenergetics of pregnancy and lactation.

Abstract Through bomb calorimetry of known-age young bats, we have determined the energy cost of pregnancy and lactation in Myotis thysanodes and M. lucifugus finding that: 1. 1. Energy demand during pregnancy is hyperbolic. 2. 2. A very rapid increase in energy involved in embryo growth occurs during late pregnancy when the mothers are no longer homeothermic. 3. 3. This increased energy demand occurs earlier pre-partum in M. thysanodes than in M. lucifugus. 4. 4. Energy utilized during late embryo growth in M. lucifugus (130 cal/day) is significantly greater than in M. thysanodes (78 cal/day). 5. 5. Lactation in M. thysanodes requires at least 346 cal/day and is much more energy demanding than is pregnancy.
Ontogeny of high-affinity GABA and benzodiazepine receptors in the rat cerebellum: an autoradiographic study.

Abstract High-affinity GABA and benzodiazepine receptors were localized by light microscopic autoradiography in the developing rat cerebellum. [3H]muscimol was used for the labeling of GABA receptors and [3H]flunitrazepam for benzodiazepine receptors. Very low densities of GABA sites were found during the first postnatal week. GABA receptors start increasing linearly at the end of the second week up to adult levels around the fourth postnatal week. The increase in receptor density is concentrated in the developing granule cell layer. Benzodiazepine receptors are present at birth and increases in the density of receptors were observed already during the first postnatal week. Receptor concentrations reached adult values around the third to fourth weeks postnatally. The increase in benzodiazepine receptors is concentrated in the growing molecular layer with little change in the granule cell layer. The immature cells of the external granule layer were characterized by the absence of receptor sites. At least partial association of high-affinity GABA receptors with granule cells and benzodiazepine receptor with Purkinje cell dendrites is suggested by these developmental profiles.
Localization and the Use of Information Sources: The Case of the Carpet Industry

Business scholars have long emphasized the need for a continuous flow of strategic, tactical and operational information in order for decision makers to make informed organizational choices. However, much of the practical and theoretical work on ‘organizational learning’ and ‘environmental scanning’ has been aspatial and focused on the large corporation. Researchers of small business dynamics and entrepreneurship have measured firms’ use of information sources, but this work also remains largely aspatial. Geographers have only begun to scratch the surface of the relationships between forms of industrial spatial organization and the use of specific information sources at a firm level.Coupling these various perspectives, I investigate the use and qualitative assessment of information sources by establishments in a highly localized industry (carpets in northern Georgia) and make some comparisons with several other industries in other regions (plastics and textile producers). Analysis is based upon responses ...
Continuity of non-stationary transition matrices

Abstract Conditions are given implying the continuity of the transition functions in a standard Markov transition matrix. An example of a standard transition matrix with discontinuous transition functions is presented and its relation to the Kolmogorov differential equations is discussed.
Influence of Season and Temperature on the Relationship of Elemental Carbon Air Pollution to Pediatric Asthma Emergency Room Visits

Previous studies have demonstrated an association between air pollution and asthma exacerbation. Less understood is the effect of elemental carbon (EC), and the interaction of EC with temperature, ...
Detection and quantification of low levels of benzoylecgonine in equine urine

Cocaine (COC) is a highly addictive plant alkaloid expressing strong psychostimulatory effect. It has no medical use in equine veterinary practice. The contamination of the environment with cocaine such as its presence on the US paper currency has been reported few times. There are anecdotal reports of low benzoylecgonine (BE) concentrations (usually much less than 100 ng/mL) being found in urine of race horses. In order to protect horsemen against harsh penalties associated with the presence of trace amounts of BE in horse urine as a result of environmental contamination, in February 2005 the Illinois Racing Board issued new medication rules that established the threshold level of 150 ng/mL for BE in equine urine. The penalties associated with this rule provide for increasing fines ($250, $500, $1000) with successive positive reports against a trainer for levels of BE below 150 ng/mL. A total of 19,315 urine samples were collected over the 2-year period of time from winning horses (both harness and thoroughbred) at race tracks in Illinois for routine drug screening (ELISA). The presence of BE was confirmed by GC/MS in 28 urine samples (0.14%). The concentration range for BE in harness horses (21 detections) was < 5-91 ng/mL, and for thoroughbred (seven detections) was 7-52 ng/mL. To date, the laboratory has not reported concentrations of BE that exceed the established threshold concentration of 150 ng/mL.
Afrocentricity and African Spirituality

In this article, the author seeks to argue in support of the African ontological view as a valid way to view the world. Indeed, the argument in this work is that a central role of Afrocentric philosophy ought to be the reestablishment of the process by which Africans arrive at spirituality. Demonstrating that Christianity has often been the culprit behind White supremacy, the author suggests that it has gone hand-in-hand with the desacralization of African culture.
Sparsity based feedback design: A new paradigm in opportunistic sensing

We introduce the concept of using compressive sensing techniques to provide feedback in order to control dynamical systems. Compressive sensing algorithms use l 1 -regularization for reconstructing data from a few measurement samples. These algorithms provide highly efficient reconstruction for sparse data. For data that is not sparse enough, the reconstruction technique produces a bounded error in the estimate. In a dynamical system, such erroneous state-estimation can lead to undesirable effects in the output of the plant. In this work, we present some techniques to overcome the aforementioned restriction. Our efforts fall into two main categories. First, we present some techniques to design feedback systems that sparsify the state in order to perfectly reconstruct it using compressive sensing algorithms. We study the effect of such sparsification schemes on the stability and regulation of the plant. Second, we study the characteristics of dynamical systems that produce sparse states so that compressive sensing techniques can be used for feedback in such scenarios without any additional modification in the feedback loop.
Development and application of a video-mosaic survey technology to document the status of coral reef communities

The recent decline in the condition of coral reef communities worldwide has fueled the need to develop innovative assessment tools to document coral abundance and distribution rapidly and effectively. While most monitoring programs rely primarily on data collected in situ by trained divers, digital photographs and video are used increasingly to extract ecological indicators, provide a permanent visual record of reef condition, and reduce the time that divers spend underwater. In this study, we describe the development and application of a video-based reef survey methodology based on an algorithm for image registration and the estimation of image motion and camera trajectory. This technology was used to construct two-dimensional, spatially accurate, high-resolution mosaics of the reef benthos at a scale of up to 400 m2. The mosaics were analyzed to estimate the size and percent cover of reef organisms and these ecological indicators of reef condition were compared to similar measurements collected by divers to evaluate the potential of the mosaics as monitoring tools. The ecological indicators collected by trained divers compared favorably with those measured directly from the video mosaics. Five out of the eight categories chosen (hard corals, octocorals, Palythoa, algal turf, and sand) showed no significant differences in percent cover based on survey method. Moreover, no significant differences based on survey method were found in the size of coral colonies. Lastly, the capability to extract the same reef location from mosaics collected at different times proved to be an important tool for documenting change in coral abundance as the removal of even small colonies (<10 cm in diameter) was easily documented. The two-dimensional video mosaics constructed in this study can provide repeatable, accurate measurements on the reef-plot scale that can complement measurements on the colony-scale made by divers and surveys conducted at regional scales using remote sensing tools.
Carding Dynamics Part I: Previous Studies of Fiber Distribution and Movement in Carding:

This paper is the first of a series of publications dealing with extensive card research supported by the Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center. The paper gives a com prehensive critical review of previous investigations of fiber movement and their dis tribution on card elements. It focuses on principles governing fiber transfer from one card element to another and fiber distribution on different card elements.
Demonstration of scanning confocal reconstruction of microwave, frequency diverse holograms

The scanning confocal microscope was designed to achieve depth resolution and the accompanying contrast improvement in the optical regime. Depth discrimination mechanisms from the confocal microscope have been modeled for microwave wavelengths and applied computationally to the reconstruction of holographic synthetic aperture radar (HSAR) data. Results are presented of 3D reconstruction of 2D data sets, demonstrating the desired depth resolution and improved contrast. Investigation of adaptation of the confocal technique to data sets of more than 2 dimensions, such as interferometric SAR or full 3D data sets, are also discussed.
Bacterial Pathogens in Plants: Life up against the Wall.

of transposon mutagenesis, broad-host-range cosmid vectors, and marker-exchange mutagenesis to identify and manipulate bacterial genes that have a readily scored phenotype when mutated, conjugated into a related strain, or expressed in Escherichia coli. These approaches have yielded a large inventory of hrp (hypersensitive [esponse and pathogenicity) and avr (eirulence) genes that directly relate to the HR puzzle as we!l as numerous other genes associated with pectic enzyme, toxin, and extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production. Rather than detail this inventory (which may be fundamentally incomplete; see below), we use representative components to develop a model for bacterial plant pathogenesis that is based on the very recent third development-the discovery that the hrp genes encode a protein secretion system, shared in plant and animal pathogens, that has the potential to transfer virulence proteins into eukaryotic host cells. The necrogenic bacteria have diverse pathogenic personalities with a bewildering array of symptoms and host specificities. The growing evidence that the hrp genes are ubiquitous in these pathogens, controlling early (and generally essential) interactions with plants, provides a unifying entry point for exploring bacterial phytopathogenicity. Hence, after introducing the representative pathogens, we explore the dynamic operation of the Hrp system and then turn briefly to factors such as toxins, EPS, and pectic enzymes that affect the full development of plant disease.
Innominate vein cannulation for venous drainage in minimally invasive aortic valve replacement

Minimally invasive aortic valve or aortic root replacement may be carried out through a mini-hemisternotomy. Venous cannulation of the right atrium may be difficult, at best, and obstruct the limited operative field. We have carried out cannulation of the innominate vein with 25F or 27F thin-walled femoral venous cannulae in 20 patients. Transesophageal echocardiographic guidance is invaluable in safely passing the guidewire and subsequently the cannula into the right atrium. This approach results in an unobtrusive method of complete intrathoracic cannulation through a mini-hemisternotomy with the risks of femoral cannulation.
A technique for sorting and detecting signals in interference

An adaptive filtering technique for spectra correlation discrimination is proposed that provides a means of separating signals on the basis of their spectral correlation characteristics, as determined by the signal parameters (modulation type, band rate, chip rate, hop rate, etc). A conceptual description and a theoretical analysis of the spectral correlation discriminator are given, and computer simulations are presented to demonstrate its utility. >
Paleomagnetism of the Mesozoic Asik Mountain Mafic Complex in Northern Alaska: Implications for the Tectonic History of the Arctic Composite Terrane

At least three mutually exclusive hypotheses exist for the origin of the Arctic composite terrane and its Mesozoic location relative to the stable craton of North America. The most widely accepted hypothesis calls for counterclockwise rotation of the Arctic composite terrane as it rifted from the Arctic Archipelago. A second hypothesis calls for no relative movement, and a third places the Arctic composite terrane on the Kula plate as a part of a separate ribbon-shaped microcontinent. All three hypotheses predict unique positions for the Arctic composite terrane with respect to rotation and translation since the middle of the Mesozoic. Paleomagnetic and susceptibility studies were conducted on rocks from 15 sites in the ~160 Ma (K-Ar cooling age) Asik Mountain mafic to ultramafic complex in the western part of the Arctic composite terrane. Coherent data from 11 sites yielded a direction of dec = 255.1°, inc = 82.1°, κ = 19.3, α 95 = 9.6°, α 63 = 5.6°. Contact and fold tests were not possible but the direction differs distinctly from the modern magnetic direction. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility revealed a well-developed oblate fabric of variable orientation. The orientation of the fabric was not related to the regional stress regime, so we conclude that the rocks were not deformed and metamorphosed during thrusting, and thus the magnetic remanence direction obtained is most likely primary. The direction yields a pole position at long = 166.8°E, lat = 59.8°N, A95 = 18.4°, A63 = 10.7° that is discordant to the expected 160 Ma reference direction for North America. Counterclockwise rotation of the Arctic composite terrane would yield a perfect fit to the 160 Ma reference pole with an allowance for up to 5° of northward translation. This result, combined with previous paleomagnetic data, makes a convincing argument that the Arctic composite terrane has not remained fixed in its current orientation with respect to North America. However, the data are not sufficient to differentiate between the two hypotheses that suggest movement of the Arctic composite terrane relative to North America.
Let them Eat Social Capital: Socializing the Market versus Marketizing the Social

Theories of social capital are popular because they claim to insulate society against both the coercion of states and the individualism of markets, as well as to better explain social prosperity and economic performance. But in fact laws, citizenship rights, compulsory associations and political institutions do a much better job of the former, while large-scale civic movements, like Poland’s Solidarity, with demonstrable impacts on the configuration of political power, are the historic keys to democratic prosperity and social confidence.
Lymphatic Vascular Response to Acute Inflammation

During acute inflammation, functioning lymphatics are believed to reduce edema and to provide a transiting route for immune cells, but the extent at which the dermal lymphatic remodeling impacts lymphatic transport or the factors regulating these changes remains unclear. Herein we quantify the increase in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and examine the expression of pro-angiogenenic and lymphangiogenic factors during acute cutaneous hypersensitivity (CHS). We found that LECs actively proliferate during CHS but that this proliferation does not affect the lymphatic vessel density. Instead, lymphatic remodeling is accompanied by lymphatic vessel leakiness and lower ejection of lymph fluid, which is observed only in the proximal lymphatic vessel draining the inflamed area. LECs and the immune cells release growth factors and cytokines during inflammation, which impact the lymphatic microenvironment and function. We identified that FGF-2, PLGF-2, HGF, EGF, and KC/CXCL17 are differentially expressed within tissues during acute CHS, but both VEGF-C and VEGF-D levels do not significantly change. Our results indicate that VEGF-C and VEGF-D are not the only players and other factors may be responsible for the LECs proliferation and altered lymphatic function in acute CHS.
Identification of a novel tumor necrosis factor α‐responsive region in the NCF2 promoter

The phagocyte reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase is a multi- protein enzyme that catalyzes the production of mi- crobicidal oxidants. Although oxidase assembly in- volves association of several membrane and cytosolic oxidase proteins, one of the cytosolic cofactors, p67 phox , appears to play a more prominent role in final activation of the enzyme complex. Based on the importance of p67 phox , we investigated transcrip- tional regulation of the p67 phox gene (neutrophil cy- tosolic factor 2 (NCF2)) and demonstrated previously that activator protein-1 (AP-1) was essential for basal transcriptional activity. As p67 phox can be up-regu- lated by tumor necrosis factor (TNF-), which activates AP-1, we hypothesized that TNF- might regulate NCF2 transcription via AP-1. In support of this hypothesis, we show here that NCF2 promoter- reporter constructs are up-regulated by TNF- but only when AP-1 factors were coexpressed. Consistent with this observation, we also demonstrate that NCF2 mRNA and p67 phox protein are up-regulated by TNF- in various myeloid cell lines as well as in human monocytes. It was surprising that mutagenesis of the AP-1 site in NCF2 promoter constructs did not eliminate TNF- induction, suggesting additional el- ements were involved in this response and that AP-1 might play a more indirect role. Indeed, we used NCF2 promoter-deletion constructs to map a novel TNF--responsive region (TRR) located between -56 and -16 bp upstream of the translational start site and demonstrated its importance in vivo using tran- scription factor decoy analysis. Furthermore, DNase footprinting verified specific binding of factor(s) to the TRR with AP-1 binding indirectly to this region. Thus, we have identified a novel NCF2 promoter/ enhancer domain, which is essential for TNF--in- duced up-regulation of p67 phox . J. Leukoc. Biol. 77: 267-278; 2005.
Does Conservative Protestantism Moderate the Association Between Corporal Punishment and Child Outcomes

Using longitudinal data from a sample of 456 focal children in the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH), this study examined two research questions: (a) Does corporal punishment of young children (ages 2-4 at baseline) predict increases in levels of externalizing and internalizing problems over a 5‐year study period? (b) Does the religion of the mother--specifically, her conservative Protestant affiliation and conservative beliefs about the Bible--moderate the estimated net effects of corporal punishment? Results revealed that early spanking alone was not associated with adjustment difficulties, but spanking that persisted into or began in middle childhood was associated with difficulties. In contrast to their counterparts from other (or no) religious backgrounds, children whose mothers belonged to conservative Protestant groups exhibited minimal adverse effects of corporal punishment. Several conclusions, limitations, and promising directions for future research are identified.
A multi-kilowatt high-frequency AC-link inverter for conversion of low-voltage DC to utility power voltages

In this paper the results from a prototype low voltage DC input (<30 VDC) kilowatt class high frequency parallel-loaded resonant AC-link inverter is described. This system delivers utility grade voltage-source power at electronically selectable 50, 60, or 400 Hz. Cycle-by-cycle bidirectional current flow reduces the need for intermediate energy storage and allows for operation in a wide range of power factor with passive stability. The high frequency AC link and voltage boost stage is comprised of a zero voltage, zero current switching full-bridge inverter. This soft switching high frequency inverter is well suited for handling the large currents expected from a low voltage source. The output inverter is connected directly to this high frequency AC-link and zero voltage switching is employed in the output inverter to eliminate switching loss. A discretized sinusoidal carrier wave modulation (DSCWM) algorithm is used to control the high frequency boost inverter. The switching frequency of the DSCWM algorithm is fixed in relation to the frequency of the resonant high frequency AC link. The discretization of the modulation algorithm allows for the high frequency link to be discontinuous thus improving the zero voltage switching of the inverter. The elimination of a rectifier stage and reduction of the intermediate energy storage delivers a high power density design when compared to conventional dc-dc-ac methods. While switching loss has been greatly minimized, AC resistance due to high frequency operation and large peak currents present must be addressed in the interconnections and magnetic design.
Molecular relatedness of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates obtained during a platelet transfusion-associated episode of sepsis.

Abstract Staphylococcus epidermidis was isolated from the blood of a 25-year-old pregnant woman following the administration of eight units of platelets. She had developed chills and a fever of 41.4 degrees C soon after the transfusions were completed. S. epidermidis was also obtained from all eight platelet units, as well as from the packed-erythrocyte unit associated with the first unit of platelets. The isolation of the same organism from these epidemiologically related sources provided us with the opportunity to phenotypically and genetically characterize the isolates. Several typing methods, including four molecular techniques, were used to increase our chances of finding any differences between the isolates under investigation. Phenotypic analyses demonstrated that S. epidermidis isolates from the patient, platelet units, and erythrocyte unit reacted in exactly the same manner in 15 biochemical tests, exhibited slime production, and had the same antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Genetic analyses, which included plasmid profiles, plasmid cross-hybridization, field inversion gel electrophoresis, and ribotyping, substantiated the relationships between the S. epidermidis isolates from the patient, platelet units, and erythrocyte unit. Eight S. epidermidis control strains unrelated to the case were found to differ significantly from the platelet-related strain.
Solar system science: 1962 Literature Survey, Part IV

Solar system bibliography covering earth atmospheric physics, cosmogony, planetary and interplanetary physics, solar physics and solar system dynamics
Nutrition Education in 2040-An Imagined Retrospective.

“If all primary care physicians are expected to address obesity, nutrition, and physical activity with their adult patients, training programs need to change.”1 This statement, from an article by Smith et al1 in this issue of the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, is based on a survey of 219 senior medical residents in Ohio, all of whom were about to begin a career in family medicine, internal medicine, or obstetrics and gynecology. The article provides a snapshot of how prepared the current US primary care workforce is to address the current epidemics of obesity, diabetes, and other lifestyle-related chronic diseases. Smith et al1 conclude that newly minted primary care practitioners score poorly with regard to knowledge about obesity risks and how to effectively counsel patients regarding nutrition, weight management, and physical activity. Senior primary care residents' scores attesting to perceived professional competencies in these key areas are just shy of abysmal, and the group perceives that its members are not prepared to counsel their future patients about these topics.
Habitat shifts of endangered species under altered climate conditions: importance of biotic interactions

Predicting changes in potential habitat for endangered species as a result of global warming requires considering more than future climate conditions; it is also necessary to evaluate biotic associations. Most distribution models predicting species responses to climate change include climate variables and occasionally topographic and edaphic parameters, rarely are biotic interactions included. Here, we incorporate biotic interactions into niche models to predict suitable habitat for species under altered climates. We constructed and evaluated niche models for an endangered butterfly and a threatened bird species, both are habitat specialists restricted to semiarid shrublands of southern California. To incorporate their dependency on shrubs, we first developed climate-based niche models for shrubland vegetation and individual shrub species. We also developed models for the butterfly's larval host plants. Outputs from these models were included in the environmental variable dataset used to create butterfly and bird niche models. For both animal species, abiotic-biotic models outperformed the climate-only model, with climate-only models over-predicting suitable habitat under current climate conditions. We used the climate-only and abiotic-biotic models to calculate amounts of suitable habitat under altered climates and to evaluate species' sensitivities to climate change. We varied temperature (+ 0.6, + 1.7, and + 2.8 °C) and precipitation (50%, 90%, 100%, 110%, and 150%) relative to current climate averages and within ranges predicted by global climate change models. Suitable habitat for each species was reduced at all levels of temperature increase. Both species were sensitive to precipitation changes, particularly increases. Under altered climates, including biotic variables reduced habitat by 68-100% relative to the climate-only model. To design reserve systems conserving sensitive species under global warming, it is important to consider biotic interactions, particularly for habitat specialists and species with strong dependencies on other species.
Stable Law Densities and Linear Relaxation Phenomena.

Stable law distributions occur in the description of the linear dielectric behavior of polymers, the motion of carriers in semi-conductors, the statistical behavior of neurons, and many other phenomena. No accurate tables of these distributions or algorithms for estimating the parameters in these relaxation models exist. In this paper we present tables of the functions Q.(Z)= J rea cos(zu)du Va()= e sin(zu)du together with related functional properties of zQa(z). These are useful in the estimation of the parameters in relaxation models for polymers and related materials. Values of the integral Qa(z) are given for a=0.01, 0.02(0.02)0.1(0.1)1.0(0.2)2.0 and those of V(z) are given for a=0.0(0.01)0.l(0.1)2.0. A variety of methods was used to obtain six place accuracy. The tables can be used to sequentially estimate the three parameters appearing in the Williams-Watts model of relaxation. An illustration of this method applied to data in the literature is given.
Optimizing Process Economic Performance Using Model Predictive Control

The current paradigm in essentially all industrial advanced process control systems is to decompose a plant’s economic optimization into two levels. The first level performs a steady-state optimization. This level is usually referred to as real-time optimization (RTO). The RTO determines the economically optimal plant operating conditions (setpoints) and sends these setpoints to the second level, the advanced control system, which performs a dynamic optimization. Many advanced process control systems use some form of model predictive control or MPC for this layer. The MPC uses a dynamic model and regulates the plant dynamic behavior to meet the setpoints determined by the RTO.
Cost Analysis of an Air Transport System Model with Critical Human Errors and Two Repair Policies

The paper deals with a certain mathematical model of an air transport system. The model refers to a single aircraft and takes the impact of other system components on the aircraft reliability and operating costs into account.
Multi-State Availability Modeling in Practice

This chapter presents multi-state availability modeling in practice. We use three analytic modeling techniques; (1) continuous time Markov chains, (2) stochastic reward nets, and (3) multi-state fault trees. Two case studies are presented to show the usage of these modeling techniques: a simple system with two boards and the processors subsystem of the VAXcluster. The three modeling techniques are compared in terms of the solution accuracy and the solution time.
The Malgrange Preparation Theorem

In this chapter we will prove a technical theorem about smooth functions which will be used to prove Mather’s Theorem about stable mappings and to establish the existence of normal forms for singularities of certain stable mappings. In order to make the theorem palatable, we first state and prove the corresponding but less complicated result for analytic functions of several complex variables.
A PERIOD3 variant causes a circadian phenotype and is associated with a seasonal mood trait

In humans, the connection between sleep and mood has long been recognized, although direct molecular evidence is lacking. We identified two rare variants in the circadian clock gene PERIOD3 (PER3-P415A/H417R) in humans with familial advanced sleep phase accompanied by higher Beck Depression Inventory and seasonality scores. hPER3-P415A/H417R transgenic mice showed an altered circadian period under constant light and exhibited phase shifts of the sleep-wake cycle in a short light period (photoperiod) paradigm. Molecular characterization revealed that the rare variants destabilized PER3 and failed to stabilize PERIOD1/2 proteins, which play critical roles in circadian timing. Although hPER3-P415A/H417R-Tg mice showed a mild depression-like phenotype, Per3 knockout mice demonstrated consistent depression-like behavior, particularly when studied under a short photoperiod, supporting a possible role for PER3 in mood regulation. These findings suggest that PER3 may be a nexus for sleep and mood regulation while fine-tuning these processes to adapt to seasonal changes.
Response of nasal airway resistance to hypercapnia and hypoxia in man.

The response of nasal airway resistance (Rn) to various degrees of hypoxia and hypercapnia was measured in six subjects using active posterior mask rhinomanometry. All resistances were computed during expiration at the flow rate of 0.5 liter/sec. Hypercapnia, induced by breathing gas mixtures of various contents of carbon dioxide, significantly decreased Rn (P 0.05, Wilcoxon signed rank test). These results indicate that the nasal airway is actively involved in the respiratory response to hypercapnia but not to moderate hypoxia.